Wasserman Schultz Faces Criticism in Re-election Bid for Minority District

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat from Florida, is experiencing criticism from some Black leaders regarding her decision to run for re-election in a district where minorities are the majority. This move is impacting her support from Hakeem Jeffries, the highest-ranking Black Democrat in Congress.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, from New York, withheld his endorsement for Wasserman Schultz’s re-election on Tuesday. She aims to represent a plurality-Black district and competes against four Black candidates in the August 18 primary. ‘Haven’t made a decision, as it relates to that particular race,’ Jeffries stated in a news conference when questioned about his support for Wasserman Schultz’s campaign for the Fort Lauderdale-based seat.

Jeffries noted he has had discussions with Wasserman Schultz, a member of his leadership team, but did not extend his support. ‘Everybody has a right to run where they see fit. They’ve got to make their case to the people that they hope to represent moving forward,’ he explained.

‘I think we all recognize the sensitivities of the moment in terms of an unprecedented Jim Crow-like assault on Black political representation that has been unleashed by the Supreme Court’s outrageous decision to gut the Voting Rights Act,’ Jeffries added. He referenced the court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which restricted the use of race in electoral district creation and prompted redistricting in states led by Republicans, affecting majority-minority districts that Black Democrats previously represented. ‘It’s an environment that all of us need to be sensitive to as we move forward,’ he said.

Wasserman Schultz faces intense criticism from local Black leaders due to her candidacy for this position. The district has had a Black representative for over thirty years.

Elijah Manley, a progressive Gen-Z activist competing in the Democratic primary, criticized Wasserman Schultz in a social media post. ‘First, she said the CBC [Congressional Black Caucus] encouraged her to run. The CBC Chair said they did not,’ Manley wrote. ‘Then she went on TV and said that Leader Jeffries was supporting her. Jeffries just declined to endorse her.’

Manley added, ‘It is not a good day to be named Debbie Wasserman Schultz in Florida’s 20th District.’

Despite the backlash, Wasserman Schultz has a fundraising lead over her primary opponents, with over $2.5 million in campaign funds, according to recent Federal Election Commission records.

She faces competition from former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who previously held the Democrat-dominated seat before resigning amid an expulsion threat and a House Ethics Committee investigation. Cherfilus-McCormick is running again despite facing an upcoming criminal trial related to allegedly misappropriating more than $5 million in disaster relief funds.

Additional candidates include former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness and musician Luther Campbell, who are also contesting for the Democratic nomination.

The district’s reshaping is a result of Florida Republicans approving a GOP-oriented congressional map in May. Previously, Wasserman Schultz chaired the Democratic National Committee, where her role was affected by the release of emails disparaging Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign. She was first elected to the House in 2004.