The Complex Race for Florida’s 20th Congressional District

In Tamarac, Florida, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz campaigns for reelection sporting red, white, and blue sneakers, along with a matching manicure. She’s seeking her 12th term by running in a new district, following a controversial redistricting by Republicans earlier this year.

Wasserman Schultz, a former national party chair, has crossed district lines. This move makes her the sole white candidate running against four Black candidates in a Broward County area that has historically sent Black Democrats to Congress. This development follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision that affected the Voting Rights Act, allowing states like Florida to reshape House districts.

Former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned while facing an ethics investigation and is now seeking to reclaim her seat, criticized Wasserman Schultz’s move. She described it as an erasure of the fight for Black political access in the area. Elijah Manley, a progressive organizer and candidate, also expressed concern, accusing Schultz of undermining Black representation.

Wasserman Schultz is amongst the best-funded candidates and benefits from Florida’s election rules, which do not require a majority to win primaries. She argues that her extensive experience allows her to represent the region effectively.

Republican efforts to redraw Florida’s congressional map aimed to reduce five Democratic seats to three. This clustering has left Broward County, the most Democratic area in Florida, with only one reliable Democratic district.

The new district has a 42% Black majority, with significant Caribbean populations including Haitian Americans. Wasserman Schultz remains the only white Democrat in the race, a rarity for majority Black districts.

Cherfilus-McCormick, facing legal challenges, insists she can win and argues that her situation reflects attempts to silence the Haitian community’s voice. Manley, though realistic about his chances, looks forward to possible future elections.

The contest also includes candidates like Luther Campbell, a former rapper, and real estate broker Dale Holness. The race reflects a broader debate about representation and whether Wasserman Schultz’s extensive experience is enough compared to the lived experiences of minority communities.

Wasserman Schultz has highlighted the importance of her Appropriations Committee seat, especially if Democrats win a House majority. Her past work creating and funding programs for Black communities has been emphasized during her campaign.

Her efforts to connect with diverse communities include learning Spanish to communicate more effectively with Hispanic constituents. Wasserman Schultz defends her candidacy by asserting her dedication to representing community values against efforts she blames on Trump and DeSantis.