Kendrick Meek, Jr. Kicks off Election Bid: ‘We Need a New Generation of Leadership with the Courage to Fight for Working People’

Miami, FL — Today, Kendrick Meek Jr., a 29-year-old Miami attorney, advocate and public policy professional announced his candidacy for Florida’s 24th Congressional District and his plans to carry forward the powerful Meek family legacy of public service.

As the grandson of the late Congresswoman Carrie Meek and the son of former Congressman Kendrick Meek, Sr., Kendrick has watched his family spend decades fighting for economic justice, educational opportunity, voting rights and opportunity for South Florida families. Congresswoman Carrie Meek made history as the first Black Floridian elected to Congress since Reconstruction and became a tireless champion for Miami-Dade communities, helping expand access to housing, education, healthcare, and economic opportunity.

Below are Kendrick’s remarks as prepared, delivered at 4:30 p.m. E.T. at his grandmother’s home in Miami:

“Thank you, dad, for the introduction. For those who don’t already know, my father is one of my heroes. And I am grateful to be standing here today surrounded by family, friends, neighbors, and so many others who have helped shape who I am.

“I want to recognize my grandparents, my mom, my stepmom, my uncle and his fiancée, and everyone in my family who is here today. Your love and support mean the world to me.

“I also want to thank the elected officials and community leaders joining us today: Mayor Alix Desulme; School Board Member Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall; former Councilman Scott Galvin; and Hedder Pierre Joseph, Chair of the Haitian Democratic Caucus of Florida and candidate for Orange County Commissioner.

“Today, I stand before you with a full heart, a clear purpose, and a deep sense of responsibility. My name is Kendrick Meek, and I am proud to announce that I am running for Congress in Florida’s 24th Congressional District.

“Some of you may recognize this house. This is where my grandmother, Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek, ran her first campaign. This is where neighbors gathered, where calls were made, where signs were stacked, and where people came together around a simple belief: that Miami deserved a voice in Washington who knew this community and would fight for its future.

“My grandmother did not run for office because she wanted a title. She ran because she believed that government should work for people who had too often been left out and left behind. Carrie was an educator. A state legislator. And eventually, the first Black member of Congress elected from Florida since Reconstruction.

“My father, Congressman Kendrick Meek, carried that legacy forward. He fought for smaller class sizes because he knew a good education could change the course of a child’s life. And in 2010, when a devastating earthquake hit Haiti, my father did not hesitate. He packed a small bag, got on a plane, and went to Haiti to help with the search and rescue effort. That is what real leadership looks like. That is the environment I grew up around. And that is why I will always be proud of my family’s legacy.

“And for the past 15 years, this community has had a true champion in Congresswoman Frederica Wilson. From her years as a teacher to her service as our Member of Congress, she has educated and inspired thousands of young people — including me. So please join me in thanking Congresswoman Wilson for her years of service and her lifelong commitment to this community.

“But let me be clear: this seat belongs to the people. And I want to earn your vote the right way — by showing up, by listening, by doing the work, and by making the case for why I will be the strongest voice for this district in Washington.

“Because in South Florida today, too many families are doing everything right and still falling behind. Rent is too high. Gas is at $5 a gallon. And student debt is crushing an entire generation of people. That has to change! And that is why I am running for Congress.

“I am running because I want to make housing affordable again. In Miami-Dade and Broward, too many families are paying half their income — or more — just to keep a roof over their heads. And too many seniors are being pushed out of the communities that they helped build. That is wrong. If I am elected to Congress, I will push for investments in affordable and workforce housing. I will fight for stronger renter protections. I will fight for down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers. And I will fight to stop the greed of Wall Street from treating our neighborhoods like profit machines.

“I am running because healthcare is a human right. No family should go bankrupt trying to save the life of a loved one. That’s why I support Medicare for All, lower prescription drug prices, expanded mental health care, reproductive freedom, and a healthcare system that puts people over profits.

“I am running because every child deserves a world-class education. We have to fully fund our public schools, make child care universal, and ensure that every student — no matter their zip code — has a fair shot at the American dream.

“I am running to stand up for immigrant families and protect the dignity of every person who calls this community home. In this district, immigration is not an abstract issue. It is about our neighbors, our coworkers, our classmates, our families, and our future. I will fight to protect our Haitian brothers and sisters from deportation while Haiti remains unsafe. I will fight to extend and redesignate TPS for Haiti, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador. And I will fight to close Alligator Alcatraz forever.

“I am running because we need a new generation of leadership with the courage to fight for working people. This is not a normal time. Families are falling behind every day. Our rights are being taken away from us. And our democracy is under attack. These times call for bold leadership willing to challenge the way things have always been done.

“That is the kind of campaign we are going to build. A campaign rooted in Liberty City, Miami Gardens, Opa-locka, North Miami, Little Haiti, Overtown, Westview, Dania Beach, Miramar, Hollywood, and every community in this district. A campaign that talks to voters who feel ignored. A campaign that listens before it speaks. A campaign that believes working people deserve more than slogans — they deserve results.

“My grandmother taught me that public service is not about being important. It is about being useful. My father taught me that leadership means showing up, doing the work, and fighting the good fight even when the odds are against you. And this community taught me that when ordinary people come together with courage and purpose, we can do extraordinary things.

“So today, I am asking you to join us. Join us if you believe in an affordable future. Join us if you believe healthcare is a human right. Join us if you believe in universal childcare. Join us if you believe seniors deserve to retire with dignity. Join us if you believe FL-24 deserves a representative who will fight like hell for working families.

“My name is Kendrick Meek. And I am running for Congress. And together, we are going to build a brighter future for South Florida. Thank you, God bless you, and let’s get to work.”