U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson draws Democratic primary challenge from Rudy Moise

Looks like Rudy Moise, the Haitian-American doctor/lawyer/businessman/amateur actor who lost the 2010 Democratic primary to Frederica Wilson is going to try for the (newly redrawn) seat again.

Moise filed his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission in December -- and his bare-bones campaign website is already up and running.

Wilson was elected to Congressional District 17, formerly held by U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, after defeating eight primary challengers and coasting in the general election against a no-party-affiliated political novice. Moise placed second in the primary.

Wilson won the primary with almost 35 percent of the vote -- with nearly 9,000 more votes than Moise's 16 percent, despite Moise's considerable campaign war chest, which was eight times larger than Wilson's. At the time, critics argued that if Moise and three other Haitian-American hopefuls had settled on a single Haitian-American candidate, district voters could have elected the first representative of Haitian descent to Congress.

The district extends from Overtown to Miami Gardens to Pembroke Pines. But that will change come the August primary, now that the Florida Legislature has completed the once-a-decade process of redistricting.

Wilson and Moise will now be vying for the new Congressional District 24, which remains solidly Democratic and stretches slightly further south and east than the existing district.

The new maps still have to be approved by Gov. Rick Scott; Democrats have filed suit saying the maps violate anti-gerrymandering standards.

Moise could not immediately be reached for comment.

Comments

[Jeff]

Unfortunately no one can beat her, no matter how much they spend. Rudy thinks bc he's the only Haitian he'll win - sorry man. She is beloved in this district and will destroy you. Good luck though bc if you win, you're gonna have a tough race in 2 more years.

[Lynn]

OMG, Rudy! Why would you waste your time and money to mislead the Haitian people into thinking that you have the necessary background, experience, knowledge, abilities, etc to represent them appropriately in Congress? SMDH!!!!