Democratic congressional candidate Elijah Manley has accused Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of attempting to "take away black representation" by running in Florida's majority-black 20th Congressional District. Wasserman Schultz, a white Democrat and former chair of the Democratic National Committee, is one of five candidates, including four Black opponents, in Tuesday's primary for the Southeast Florida seat.
Manley, who identifies as a Democratic socialist, characterized Wasserman Schultz's candidacy in the district as "cynical" and "carpetbagging." He stated that the congresswoman should not be seeking to represent a district where Black voters have historically fought for representation.
Wasserman Schultz, who has served in Congress since 2005, opted to run in the 20th District after new congressional maps were implemented earlier this year. The redrawn maps, enacted by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, significantly altered her previous district, Florida's 25th, and the district where she resides, Florida's 22nd, making them more favorable to Republicans.
Other candidates challenging Wasserman Schultz in the 20th District primary include Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a former representative who resigned amid a federal indictment; 2 Live Crew rapper Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell; and former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness.
Cherfilus-McCormick echoed Manley's criticisms, telling the Associated Press that Wasserman Schultz's presence in the district amounts to an "erasure of our history, our fight for Black access."
Wasserman Schultz, who is the best-funded candidate in the district, maintains she is well-equipped to represent its predominantly Black and Hispanic population. She told the Associated Press that she is not "air dropping" herself into the district and has a history of representing diverse communities, stating, "I know how to tailor my service to them and represent a district more broadly."