Rep. Frederica Wilson of Florida to retire from House of Representatives
May 29 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D.-Fla., said she has decided not to run for what would be her ninth term in the House of Representatives, following weeks of speculation about her next move.
Wilson, 83, told The Miami Herald that she thinks "it's time" to leave Congress after 16 years in the House, which have seen her deliver significant funds and programs for her South Florida district -- in addition to being known for her signature brightly colored outfits and hats.
Earlier this week, Wilson called reports about her potential retirement from Congress a "crazy rumor," despite the decision having already been made. She said she held back for "political strategy."
Florida Gov. Ron Desantis and the Republican-controlled state legislature changed the state's congressional map this year, which Wilson said also played into how and when she announced that she would leave Congress.
"This has been a journey, but it's time," Wilson said Friday morning in Miami during remarks where a street was being named for her to honor her decades of service to the area, NBC News reported.
"I know all of you are wondering, 'What is the congresswoman going to do?'" she told local leaders and supporters at the ceremony. "Well, the congresswoman is not going to seek another term. Even leather wears out."
Wilson was an elementary school principal and member of the Miami-Dade County School Board until 2010, when she ran for Congress the first time for the seat then held by Rep. Kendrick Meek.
Meek -- the son of Rep. Carrie Meek, who had been one of the first Black members of Congress elected from Florida since Reconstruction and retired in 2002 -- decided to run for the U.S. Senate, but lost that race to current Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Wilson is the 60th person in the House who has opted not to run for re-election.
She told The Herald that she does not plan to entirely retire, as she is working on a memoir and plans to stay involved in politics, though she has not decided to endorse anybody for her seat yet.
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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 3:53 PM.