Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is seeking her 12th term in Congress, but her reelection bid in Florida's newly drawn 20th Congressional District has become a flashpoint in a national debate over representation.
The district, which has historically sent Black Democrats to Congress, now features Wasserman Schultz, a white candidate, as the only non-minority contender. This shift is a direct consequence of a redrawn congressional map pushed by Republicans, which has been criticized by some as an effort to diminish minority voting strength and reduce the number of Democratic seats.
Former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned from the seat in April and is now seeking to reclaim it, called Wasserman Schultz's candidacy an "erasure of our history, our fight for Black access." Progressive organizer Elijah Manley echoed these sentiments, stating that while Wasserman Schultz is not to blame for the redistricting, she "had other options" and her decision to run in this district amounts to "stabbed us in the back, trying to take away Black representation."
The new district, located in Broward County, is 42% Black, 23% Hispanic, and 4% Asian American, with white voters making up the remainder. Historically, white lawmakers have been rare in majority or plurality Black districts. An Associated Press analysis found Wasserman Schultz to be the only white Democrat positioned to represent such a district heading into the November elections.
Wasserman Schultz, who has represented parts of Broward County for three decades, argues that her extensive experience allows her to represent diverse communities effectively. "I'm not air dropping myself into this district," she told The Associated Press. "I have represented diverse communities. I know how to tailor my service to them and represent a district more broadly."
She highlighted her seat on the Appropriations Committee, which she believes could be influential in securing funding for programs that benefit Black communities. Wasserman Schultz also pointed to her efforts to connect with constituents across racial and cultural lines, including learning Spanish to better communicate with Hispanic voters.
However, critics like Cherfilus-McCormick, who is facing federal charges for allegedly stealing disaster funds, argue that her candidacy is an attempt to silence the only Haitian member of Congress and remove a distinct voice. Manley suggested that the country is "not at a place in this country where we can be completely colorblind politically."
Wasserman Schultz contends that the district's map allows the plurality population to elect their preferred candidate and that voters can consider all relevant qualities when making their choice. She has framed her candidacy as a stand against Republican efforts to "steal Broward's political power, de-unify us and prevent us from standing up for our community's values."
The outcome of this race is being watched as a test case for representation in the post-Voting Rights Act era, particularly in districts reshaped by partisan redistricting efforts.