House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued the following statement after Congresswoman Frederica Wilson announced she would not seek another term in the House of Representatives:

Throughout her entire career in public service, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson has been an unyielding champion of our children, a defender of the disadvantaged and a voice for the voiceless.

Rep. Wilson’s deep roots serving the community began as an educator and elementary school principal, eventually earning a position on the School Board and later in the Florida State House and Senate. During her tenure on the School Board, Frederica launched the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a nationally recognized example of incredible community leadership dedicated to empowering young men through mentorship, purpose and pathways to future opportunity. Thirty years after its founding, the 5000 Role Models family counts mayors, professional athletes and entrepreneurs within its ranks. I am proud to be a Role Model and to have had the opportunity to support this transformative program over the years.

For more than a decade in the United States House of Representatives,  Frederica Wilson has been a relentless advocate for our young people, fighting to increase economic growth, create jobs and lower costs for working families. Congresswoman Wilson forced our government to confront and begin to address the unique racial inequities persistent across our communities through her landmark bipartisan legislation to create the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys. 

The House Democratic Caucus will deeply miss Rep. Wilson and her iconic hats—more than just her signature style, they represent her many roles throughout a lifetime of service. We are forever indebted to her for her tenacity, and we wish her and her family the very best in this next chapter.

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