Dr. Bernard W. H. Jennings weighs potential run for Florida’s 24th District

By AI, Created 3:26 PM UTC, May 27, 2026, /AGP/ – Dr. Bernard W. H. Jennings is considering a possible congressional bid in Florida’s 24th District as questions swirl around Rep. Frederica Wilson’s next move. The longtime educator, mediator and Democratic leader would enter the conversation with decades of local organizing, housing advocacy and fatherhood-policy work behind him.

Why it matters: - Florida’s 24th Congressional District could open up in 2026, setting off an early scramble in a heavily Democratic South Florida seat. - Jennings already has district-level name recognition through years of civic, party and advocacy work. - His profile blends politics, education, mediation, housing and family-policy activism, which supporters say could appeal to a broad voter base.

What happened: - Dr. Bernard W. H. Jennings is seriously considering a run for the U.S. House in Florida’s 24th Congressional District. - The potential bid comes as speculation continues about whether Rep. Frederica Wilson will seek another term, although Wilson has publicly denied retirement rumors. - Jennings serves as the elected 24th Congressional District delegate under Wilson. - Jennings has spent decades organizing for the Democratic Party and working in civic engagement across Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

The details: - Jennings previously served as executive director of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party. - Jennings has worked as a Democratic precinct captain for more than 20 years. - Jennings is the author of the Amazon best-selling book Ethan’s Good Dad Act, which reached No. 1 in Amazon’s Child Advocacy and Divorce & Family Law categories. - The book draws on Jennings’ experience fighting to stay involved in his son’s life and links that experience to later Florida parental-rights legislation. - The legislation tied to the Good Dad Act movement, Florida House Bill 775 on parental responsibility after determination of paternity, passed unanimously through the Florida Legislature. - The Good Dad Act movement has since influenced fathers’ rights and shared-parenting discussions in other states. - Jennings chairs and participates in weekly Good Dad Act Committee meetings every Tuesday evening. - The meetings bring together fathers, attorneys, mediators, judges, counselors and advocates from around the country. - Jennings is a Florida Supreme Court certified mediator and a HUD-recognized certified loss mitigation specialist. - Jennings has spent more than two decades helping families facing foreclosure, financial hardship and legal disputes. - Jennings is an alumnus and chairman of the board of trustees of Florida Memorial University. - Jennings has helped advance educational partnerships, workforce development, international education and international collaborations for underserved students. - Jennings has also led work with the New Biscayne Gardens Chamber of Commerce to support entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits, churches and economic development in South Florida. - Jennings previously served as executive director of the Opa-Locka Airport Tenants Association. - In that role, Jennings helped negotiate what supporters describe as the largest private airport FBO lease agreement in Florida. - Opa-Locka Airports-JP Aviation, Inc. became the first FBO in Florida to allow unattended private aircraft self-serve refueling. - Florida’s 24th Congressional District includes Miami Gardens, North Miami, Opa-Locka, Miramar and nearby communities. - Supporters say Jennings could focus on affordable housing, education, economic empowerment, healthcare access, criminal justice reform, public safety, HBCU investment, infrastructure, family stability and international partnerships.

Between the lines: - Jennings’ potential candidacy reflects a broader Democratic search for candidates with local organizing experience and a record of community-based problem solving. - His backers are casting his fatherhood advocacy and mediation work as evidence of pragmatic leadership rather than traditional political branding. - The district’s diversity and wide-ranging policy needs favor candidates who can speak across neighborhoods, age groups and issue sets.

What’s next: - Jennings has not officially announced a campaign. - The race will likely hinge on whether Wilson runs again and whether the district becomes an open seat in 2026. - South Florida Democrats are watching for any formal move from Jennings as succession talk continues.