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.
If you like what you’re reading, it’s easy to support Political Cortadito with a donation to keep Ladra sniffing around and barking. Loudly.
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
View all posts by Ladra →
[…] Read related: Audrey Edmonson may plan pre-emptive strike with congressional bid […]
[…] Read related: Audrey Edmonson may plan pre-emptive strike with congressional bid […]
Edmomson was better than most of the elected officials. Much better than most, in fact.
Edmonson was a commissioner for 14 years. She was a tad slow. She never did much. She was in charge of an important district. She was better than most of the clowns on the BCC. She is no world beater. And she allowed the criminal Keon “Pay to Play” Hardemon to take her seat. That was a crime.
BTW What did she accomplish in 14 years on the BCC?. For that matter what has all-hat-and-no cattle in Wilson accomplished ever( but straight line vote with the black caucus?) Her only claim to fame was in her freshman year she attempted to overturn the parliamentary no-wearing-hats-on-the floor rule which apparently was a pressing issue needed to move democracy forward. Unfortunately it failed.
The Same Audrey Edmonson That Conspired W/ Uber to get The County Commissioners to Allow The Illegals in Miami Dade breaking The Code -31 also Known as FOR -HIRE Transportation and Creating All This Traffic Problems We Now Have !