More Democratic leaders rally behind Kendrick Meek Jr.'s congressional bid

Kendrick Meek Jr.'s campaign for Florida's 24th Congressional District picked up three endorsements this week, each representing a vital support base for candidates seeking federal office.

His new backers include U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio, Miami-Dade School Board Member Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall and civil rights leader Adora Obi Nweze.

Beatty, Chair Emerita of the Congressional Black Caucus, announced her backing not long after winning a federal court fight against President Donald Trump over his bid to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after himself.

Beatty, an ex officio Kennedy Center trustee, sued in December to block the move.

“I know firsthand that dedication to public service is woven into the very fabric of Kendrick’s life,” Beatty said.

“Right now, we are at a critical crossroads where our values, our voting rights, and our representation are under constant threat. Kendrick has spent his career fighting for human rights, civil liberties, and economic dignity on the ground. He is exactly the kind of fearless, next-generation leader we need in Washington to help Democrats win back the majority and deliver real results for South Florida.”

Bendross-Mindingall, who represents District 2 on the Miami-Dade County School Board and previously served eight years in the Florida House, endorsed Meek Wednesday, one day before Beatty.

A former classroom teacher and principal, Bendross-Mindingall cited a long-standing relationship with Meek’s family, which includes Meek’s grandmother and father, former U.S. Reps. Carrie Meek and Kendrick Meek Sr., respectively.

“My bond with the Meek family runs incredibly deep, spanning decades of shared fights for civil rights, public education, and true economic opportunity in our community,” Bendross-Mindingall said.

“Kendrick is the only candidate in this race with direct federal legislative experience and experience working in the White House. Kendrick is ready on Day One to fight for our public schools, defend our fundamental rights, and bring real resources back home to South Florida.”

Nweze, a longtime civil rights advocate and former President of NAACP Florida, endorsed Meek Tuesday, framing the race in terms of preserving Black political representation.

“At a time when ensuring strong Black and minority representation is absolutely critical, we need a leader who understands the weight of that responsibility,” Nweze said.

“The Meek family has been an unyielding pillar of strength for South Florida, anchoring the generational fight to build, protect, and advance Black political power in our community. Having watched Kendrick grow as a leader, I know his character, his competence, and his absolute dedication to our people.”

The three new endorsements add to a growing list of national and local Democratic figures backing Meek, including U.S. Reps. Jim Clyburn, former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Emeritus Steven Horsford, who joined Meek in Miami last week for a roundtable on temporary protected status with local Haitian community leaders.

A University of Miami-trained lawyer who filed for the race in early June, Meek has worked as a House Judiciary Committee intern, a legal assistant with the Human Rights Campaign and served at the federal Office of Management and Budget.

He now practices land use, zoning, and real estate development law as an associate at LSN Law.

Meek is one of seven Democrats running in CD 24, which covers Miami Gardens in Miami-Dade and Hollywood, Miramar, and Pembroke Park in Broward County.

Others running include Miami-Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert, state Sen. Shevrin Jones, physician-veteran Rudy Moise and former County Commissioner Jean Monestime.

More than 68.7% of voters there backed Kamala Harris in 2024, making the Democratic Primary the race that will effectively determine who succeeds retiring U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson.

The Primary is Aug. 18, followed by the General Election on Nov. 3.