Bill Nelson backs ‘uniquely prepared’ Kendrick Meek Jr. for CD 24

A four-decade family friendship has prompted a high-profile endorsement in the race for Florida's 24th Congressional District.

Former Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is endorsing lawyer Kendrick Meek Jr. in his campaign for CD 24, citing his long relationship with the Meek family and his knowledge of the candidate's character.

“I have been close personal friends with the Meek family for 40 years and served with Congresswoman Carrie Meek and Congressman Kendrick Meek Sr., during that time,” said Nelson, who narrowly lost his Senate seat in 2018.

“I know the dedication to public service of that family that has been instilled in Kendrick and he is uniquely prepared to continue that service for Florida and our country. I support him and suggest he is one of a new generation of leadership to get our country back on track.”

Kendrick Meek Jr., in a statement accompanying the endorsement announcement Tuesday, called Nelson's support “a tremendous honor.”

“For decades, Sen. Nelson has shown our state what dedicated, integrity-driven leadership looks like,” Meek said. “Having his trust means the world as this campaign launches to serve the people of the 24th District. With Senator Nelson's support, the opportunity to bring that new generation of leadership to Washington will get our country back on track.”

Nelson's endorsement comes three days after U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina confirmed his support of Meek, calling him “the kind of leader House Democrats need to win back the majority, stand up to Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans, and keep moving our country forward.”

Meek carries a strong family legacy into the race. His grandmother, Carrie Meek, was among Florida's first Black members of Congress since Reconstruction, and his father, Kendrick Meek Sr., represented the seat in Washington from 2003 to 2011.

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. 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.