“Our party cannot credibly denounce the dismantling of Black political power by Republicans while treating one of Florida’s few remaining majority-Black districts as a political opportunity for an incumbent seeking a safer seat,” the statement read, per WLRN.
According to the outlet, the Broward County Democratic Black Caucus had explicitly asked Wasserman Schultz — by name — not to run in the 20th District. The Florida Legislative Black Caucus called the move “disheartening.” Incoming Senate Democratic Leader Shevrin Jones told her directly: “Black representation is a non-negotiable for me.”
Wasserman Schultz announced her candidacy anyway.
The backdrop makes the move sting even more. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a Republican-drawn congressional map that split Wasserman Schultz’s current 25th District into five separate pieces — part of President Trump’s nationwide push to redraw maps and protect Republican House majorities.
Rather than fight for a neighboring seat or step aside, Wasserman Schultz moved into the 20th — a district Black Democrats built.
Candidate Elijah Manley, a teacher and activist who was first to enter the race, didn’t hold back. “I would not have expected the call would come from inside the house,” he told NBC News. “I didn’t think a white Democrat would be the one to take away a Black seat.” He also called it “carpetbagging” on X, adding: “DWS is everything that’s wrong with the Democratic establishment.”
Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas weighed in too. “I wouldn’t do it if I was her,” she said, per NBC News. “I think there are people that are very concerned, especially with the Black Caucus continuously being under attack.”
Four Black candidates in the primary — including rapper Luther “Luke” Campbell and former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness — have discussed consolidating behind one or two candidates to avoid splitting the Black vote and handing Wasserman Schultz the win.
Holness told NBC News he even provided Wasserman Schultz polling data showing she could win the neighboring 22nd District — and she still chose the 20th.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has declined to endorse in the race — a notable departure from his typical practice of backing incumbents.
The Democratic Black Caucus of Florida put it plainly: “The preservation of Black political representation is not optional. It is essential.”
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