Black Democrats push back on Wasserman Schultz’s bid in Florida’s 20th District
Some Black Democrats were disappointed with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s (D-Fla.) decision to run in a South Florida congressional district that is home to a large population of Black voters, sparking an intraparty conflict that is poised to become a defining battle of the campaign season.
Wasserman Schultz, a veteran lawmaker who has served in Congress since 2005, is running in Florida’s 20th Congressional District, which was represented by former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) for four years before resigning in April. Wasserman Schultz’s bid comes after GOP-led redistricting efforts in the state reshaped the current 25th District, making it much more favorable to Republicans.
But his political opponents and other critics argue that his move not only ignores the region’s unique history and undermines opportunities for Black political representation, but also disrespects Black voters.
“I absolutely think it was a bad move for the congressman to run in this district. It was selfish and it was all about himself, his career, not the community. He failed to have a meaningful dialogue with the community before announcing his candidacy, and this came off as a hostile takeover of the district,” said Elijah Manley, a 27-year-old Black Democrat and progressive organizer who ran against him in the primary.
“I mean, he ignored and didn’t talk to a lot of people, from the Florida Legislative Black Caucus and the chair of that group to Black elected officials.”
Other Black Democrats facing Wasserman Schultz in the Aug. 18 primary include Cherfilus-McCormick, former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness and rapper Luther “Luke” Campbell.
If Wasserman Schultz’s strategy is to step in and hope to ‘split the vote’ because there are multiple Black candidates…it’s the same old tactic: divide and rule,” Campbell wrote in a post shared on social platform X.
“This community deserves representation from someone who knows it, lives it, and fights for it,” Campbell added.
Wasserman Schultz defended his decision to run, noting his decades of experience and leadership roles in Congress. He serves as co-chairman of the influential House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which appoints party members to committees and shapes party strategy.
“I know how to stand up for, fight for, and represent diverse communities, and the feedback I’ve gotten from all over the 20th Congressional District has been enthusiastic and supportive, because they know it’s a community — it’s a district that knows me. I’ve represented nine of the 14 cities in this district. They know me, and I know them, and they know they want someone with experience, experience,” he told NBC’s Kristen Welker in late May. In late May.
The Hill has reached out to Wasserman Schultz for further comment.
Nevertheless, Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried said in a speech: Statement to the Miami Herald Earlier this month, he said he was “disappointed in the congressman’s refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue about his decision, especially after our democratic ecosystem coordinated so closely to stop Republican redistricting.”
Ten members of the Florida Democratic National Committee issued a statement arguing: “Our party cannot credibly blame the fragmentation of Black political power by Republicans while treating one of Florida’s few majority-Black districts as a political opportunity for an incumbent seeking a safer seat.” Miami Herald reported.
Manley said he and several other Black candidates discussed uniting behind a single opponent against Wasserman Schultz, but that effort ultimately “collapsed.”
“It is. Everybody has the right to run for office, and you know it doesn’t work. And there’s still some time. I mean, anybody can drop out at any point. I hope they do that before the ballot is printed, but you know, people still can’t fold and get behind someone else,” Manley said.
“But even if that’s the case, I still think Debbie can be defeated. I get the idea that she’ll win because the black vote will be split. That’s possible, but I’m not going to surrender the white vote to her,” he added.
When asked if he supports Wasserman Schultz’s candidacy in the 20th District, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said at the press conference that he “has not made a decision regarding this race.”
“Everyone has the right to participate where they see fit. In order to move forward, they need to present their case to the people they hope to represent, and I took that to Congressman Wasserman Schultz directly,” he said.
“Obviously, he has a strong track record of success on behalf of the people he’s represented here in Congress and in Florida over the years. At the same time, I think we’re all aware of the sensitivities of the moment in terms of the unprecedented Jim Crow-like attack on Black political representation that was brought about by the Supreme Court’s outrageous decision to strike down the Voting Rights Act. And that’s an environment that we all need to be sensitive to as we move forward,” it added.
“Let voters make their own choices,” said Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
“He’s certainly qualified and capable of running, and I have no problem with him running. I would have a problem with someone saying he doesn’t have the right to run,” Johnson said.
Contributed by Caroline Vakil.
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