Candidates Line Up to Replace Frederica Wilson in Special State Senate Election

​While Frederica Wilson is up in D.C. preparing to be sworn into the U.S. Congress, her seat in the Florida Senate sits empty. Yesterday, outgoing Governor Charlie Crist announced that the primary election to replace Wilson will take place on February 8, while the general election will be March 1st, just a week before the state senate is called to order. Several candidates are already jockeying for position.

Current state Rep. Oscar Braynon says he has the backing of failed democratic Governor nominee Alex Sink and has already resigned from his house seat to run (an election to fill his house seat has also been set). Former state Rep. Phillip Brutus has already raised about $78,000. Brutus, a Haitian-American ran against Wilson in the primary for the congressional seat, which he says has raised his name recognition.

Rep. James Bush, Haitian-American activist Marleine Bastien, openly gay former North Miami councilman Scott Galvin, Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson and Miami Garden Councilman Andre Williams. All of those candidates ran against Wilson in the congressional primary.

Like the District 17 U.S. House seat, the 33rd district of the Florida Senate is considered a safe Democratic seat. So most of the electoral action will take place in the primary. Only one Republican has registered to run.

Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.