Wasserman Schultz’s district switch draws criticism from Black leaders
The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) endorsed Elijah Manley, a 27-year-old substitute teacher who grew up homeless in Fort Lauderdale, in next week’s Florida Democratic primary against 11-term Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
The contest takes place in Florida’s newly drawn 20th congressional district, where Wasserman Schultz does not live. The veteran Democrat chose to compete in the deep-blue district after Florida Republicans’ redistricting maps broke her current seat into five shards. Wasserman Schultz opted against running in the 22nd district, where she resides.
“It’s a painful situation,” Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette Clarke told Politico on Friday. “To have a beloved colleague who made a decision basically to run in a district where historically there’s been CBC representation, and I know that the community has been really disrupted by it.”
Manley, who is Black, grew up homeless in Fort Lauderdale’s historic Sistrunk neighborhood, according to the PCCC. He is campaigning on universal healthcare, a federal jobs guarantee, and what his campaign describes as “an economy where workers have rights, working families can thrive, and the wealthy pay their fair share.”
PCCC co-founder Stephanie Taylor said: “Elijah Manley isn’t just talking about the fight for working people – he’s lived it. He’s running a campaign built on Medicare for All, good jobs, and an economy that finally works for the people, not just the wealthy and well-connected. Debbie Wasserman Schultz represents the Democratic establishment. Voters are ready for young new fighters like Elijah.”
Manley welcomed the endorsement, saying the PCCC had been “on the frontlines of every major fight for working people” for more than a decade. “I’m honoured to earn their endorsement,” he said. “Together, we’re going to fight for the working families of South Florida and build an economy that works for everyone.”
The primary, scheduled for next week, also includes former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned in April over allegations she misused $5 million in federal funds, which she denies; former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness; and community activist Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell, a rapper best known for his role in 2 Live Crew.
A May Listener Group poll, cited by the PCCC, found Wasserman Schultz leading Manley 39% to 21% in an initial head-to-head matchup. After voters received basic biographical information about both candidates, Manley moved ahead, 36% to 27%.
Wasserman Schultz, 59, has represented her South Florida district since 2005. She served as chair of the Democratic National Committee until 2016, when she resigned amid criticism from supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders after leaked emails suggested a bias in favor of Hillary Clinton in that year’s presidential primary.
In a May tweet, Manley wrote: “Debbie Wasserman Schultz is carpetbagging to FL-20, a black opportunity district instead of running in her own. DWS is everything that’s wrong with the Democratic establishment. From insider trading to payday lenders. I look forward to retiring her from public office permanently.”
The PCCC is also backing Oliver Larkin, a democratic socialist organizer and union strategist, against Rep. Jared Moskowitz in Florida’s newly drawn 25th congressional district. The PCCC said its endorsed candidates who have already won primaries this cycle include Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota’s Senate race, Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s Senate contest, James Talarico in Texas’s Senate election, and Brad Lander in New York’s 10th congressional district.