Practice run against Frederica Wilson could set her up as heir
Former Miami-Dade Commissioner Audrey Edmonson is expected to make a big announcement Tuesday. And while she could run for county mayor in 2024 or for commission again, the widespread rumor is that she will run in the Democratic against U.S. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson next year.
But not because she expects to win. Not this time.
Wilson in practically unbeatable. She started her political career when she was 5. Well, okay, it was 1992 when the elementary school principal was first elected to the Miami-Dade School Board, where she created the 5000 Role Models of Excellence. She has served in the Florida House and Senate and she’s been in Congress for a decade, serving in Florida’s 24th District, which is in both Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
She once flew home with former President Barack Obama and she got into a big fight with former President Donald Trump over his crass statements to the Miami Gardens widow of a fallen soldier.
Edmonson, who was termed out in 2020 and replaced by Commissioner Keon Hardemon, is smart. She was on the county commission for 14 years. She doesn’t think she can actually beat Wilson. She is trying to pull a Sheila.
Ladra is referring, of course, to the fantastic victory of South Florida’s newest congress member, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who had run against the equally unbeatable Alcee Hastings, losing twice before he died and left an open seat. She became the sort of heir apparent in the Democratic primary and even beat out five electeds in a crowded field: State Sen. Perry Thurston, State Reps. Bobby DuBose and Omari Hardy and Broward County Commissioners Barbara Sharief and Dale Holness, who came in second.
Read related: Keon Hardemon moves to punish former opponent by taking CBO funds
Wilson, 79 and running for her seventh term, is also going to have to retire or die before someone else can lay claim to that seat. And Edmonson, 69, knows that there are plenty of wannabes in waiting. Where else are Miami-Dade Commissioners Jean Monestime and Oliver Gilbert gonna go?
This is her pre-emptive strike — to position herself as the heir apparent.
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By pulling a Sheila, or running an unsuccessful campaign or two against Wilson, not only does she get name recognition in the the 24th District — which is 42% black and 44% Hispanic (what?!?) — but it also gives her an excuse to start connecting to voters early. And she can stay relevant.
I mean, when was the last time anyone heard anything about or from Audrey Edmonson? Exactly.
The announcement will be made at 11 a.m. at the government center in the Village of El Portal, where Edmonson began her political career.
Audrey Edmonson may plan pre-emptive strike with congressional bid added by Ladra on
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