Rep.Debbie Wasserman Schultz has bested a young progressive challenger and an embattled former lawmaker after a hard-fought primary characterized by its racial overtones.Schultz, a 21-year veteran of the House, stressed her seniority on the campaign trail alongside her ability to deliver services to constituents and secure federal funding for her district.
To secure her primary victory, Schultz bested former Rep.Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned in April following fraud allegations, and 27-year-old activist and teacher Elijah Manley, who is aligned with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Mid-decade redistricting in Florida caused Schultz to choose to run in Florida’s 20th Congressional District, which has a stronger Democratic lean than her home constituency.
Schultz, a White woman, drew considerable backlash for deciding to run in the district in May.Criticism centered around the district being majority Black and having long been represented by a Black member of Congress.JEFFRIES DECLINES TO BACK WASSERMAN SCHULTZ AS BLACK LEADERS REVOLT OVER DISTRICT SWITCHRep.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., speaks during a press conference on new legislation to support Holocaust education nationwide at the U.S.Capitol Building on Jan.
27, 2023, in Washington, D.C.(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)Both Cherfilus-McCormick and Manley argued that Schultz representing Florida’s 20th Congressional District would be an affront to the African American community.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined to back Schultz during the dispute."While the Republicans are trying their hardest to silence Black voices, I don't expect somebody in our own party, a white Democrat, to do the same," Manley said of Schultz at a candidate debate." We are not going back to a time where there were no Black people in Congress."TLAIB UNDER FIRE FOR WORKING TO UNSEAT TWO JEWISH HOUSE DEMOCRATS IN FLORIDA: 'NO COINCIDENCE'Rep.
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., speaks after b...