Frederica Wilson Has Major Primary Challenger in Michael Etienne

Michael Etienne is looking to move up the political ladder in 2014 -- but he has a tough assignment as he looks to beat one of the most established Democratic incumbents in South Florida.

Etienne, an attorney and a leader of the Haitian-American community, is known in Tallahassee for working as a legislative aide in the Florida House but he has been trying to advance his career by running for office. He was part of a crowded field of Democrats in 2010 who ran for the House seat Yolly Roberson held, but Etienne placed third.

Since then, hes bounced back fairly well. In 2011, he won an election to be city clerk for North Miami. But he is looking to do even more. Etiennes filed to run a primary challenge against U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson and hopes to rally Haitian-American voters to his banner.

It will be tough. Wilson has been stringing together electoral wins in South Florida for decades. She took 35 percent when she ran in the congressional primary in 2010 for the seat Kendrick Meek held -- an impressive figure considering there were eight other Democrats seeking the nomination. Rudy Moise, a businessman, attorney and doctor, placed a distant second with 16 percent. In 2012, Wilson did even better against Moise. In the rematch, when she had the endorsement of Barack Obama, Wilson took 66 percent and Moise garnered 34 percent.

Based on her record, Wilson will be tough to defeat. Still, Etienne is talented and ambitious with strong connections to the Haitian community. Hes an underdog to be sure but a live one. Itll be interesting to see what Etienne does this summer and if he can launch a competitive challenge to Wilson.