WASHINGTON — Rep.Debbie Wasserman Schultz is facing significant pushback from Black Democrats after deciding to run in a newly redrawn district in South Florida that has a plurality of Black voters and a crowded primary field.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The Florida political landscape was scrambled after Gov.
Ron DeSantis signed legislation last month creating new congressional maps.Instead of running in the 22nd Congressional District, where she lives, Wasserman Schultz opted to run in the more Democratic-leaning 20th District, which has long been represented by a Black Democrat.
But the move has angered Black leaders and candidates in that district, especially coming at a time when Republicans have attempted to wipe out districts long held by Black Democrats after a recent Supreme Court decision that limits the consideration of race in drawing up congressional maps.Four Black candidates running in the primary have even discussed coalescing around one or two candidates in order to take on Wasserman Schultz rather than split the Black vote, according to one of the participants in the meeting.Wasserman Schultz, an 11-term incumbent and former chair of the Democratic National Committee, announced her decision last month, saying she wanted to ensure her seniority would not be lost.Wassmern Schultz argued that if Democrats take control of the House, she would be in line to chair a key congressional committee, which would be good for the district.“You have always been able to count on me to deliver results for our community,” she said in a video announcing her decision to run, which emphasized her “seniority and “clout” announcing her decision to run.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y, who would be in line to become the first Black speaker if Democrats take control of the House in November, told reporters Tuesday that he has not yet decided if he was endorsing in the rac...