U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Photo courtesy of Facebook)

By David L. Snelling

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Despite entreaties from Black Democrats not to run for Congressional District 20 since it had Black representation for over 30 years, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz decided to join the crowded field vying for the vacant seat

Florida’s recent redrawn Congressional map, which is currently being challenged in court, shifted Wasserman Schultz’s District 25 to a Republican stronghold.

Her decision now puts her at odds with the Black community where constituents wanted to preserve the seat, which was held by Alcee Hastings and Sheila Cherfilus McCormick since 1992.

Cherfilus-McCormick resigned from Congress in April amid facing sanctions from a House Ethics Committee for allegedly committing 25 House ethics and standard violations including campaign contributions infractions.

The allegations were tied to her federal indictment on 15 accounts including money laundering, theft of government funds and making and receiving straw donor contributions.

At the center of the indictment was she allegedly stole $5 million in COVID-19 federal disaster relief funds for her family’s healthcare business.

She filed to run for election two weeks after she stepped down.

The Democratic Primary pits Cherfilus McCormick against Wasserman Schultz, the two front runners in the race, but also running are rap music mogul Luther Campbell, former Broward County mayor Dale Holness, Dr. Rudolph Moise and community activist Elijah Manley.

“For the people of Broward County, my home I fought for the people of Broward County my whole adult life. You’ve always been able to count on me to deliver results for our community,” Wasserman Schultz said in her campaign announcement.

With a political career spanning 22 years, Wasserman Schultz said she can make a bigger impact in Washington D.C.

She is currently chair of the House Democratic Steering Committee and once led the Democratic National Committee.

“Some people do a lot of talking. I work hard to deliver results. We can do this together,” Wasserman Schultz said.

Her decision prompted backlash from Black Democrats.

State Senator Shervin Jones told CBS New Miami that the district should be represented by a Black U.S. Rep.

“This is not about Debbie,” Jones said. “What this is about is Black representation. What this is about is making sure that the individuals who are being represented, they at least have the fighting chance to be represented by someone who has lived their lived experience”. Jones also pointed out that if Wasserman Schultz wins the seat, the state would have only one Black member of Congress.

Candidate and former Broward County mayor Dale Holness said the schism is impacting the Democratic Party at a time when unity is needed to fight Republicans.

“I’m very disappointed that we’re here in District 20,” Holness said. “Very troubled also about what is happening because it’s dividing our party. Alliances that we’ve built over time are shattered, and it’s unfortunate that we’re in this place at this time. The people need our help”.

Some political insiders said Wasserman Shultz chose to run for CD 20 because she has a slim chance of winning reelection in CD 25.

The new map now stretches along Florida’s Atlantic Coast from Boca Raton to Miami Beach, and U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz is expected to run there.

That’s a seat where 54 percent of voters supported President Donald Trump in 2024 over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

In contrast, about 68 percent of voters in CD 20 supported Harris in 2024, bolstering the chances of a Democratic victory.

However, through redistricting, CD is no longer a majority Black seat.

About 42 percent of the voting age population is Black, more than 23 percent is Hispanic and almost 4 percent is Asian, while 30 percent of voting age residents are White.

Cherfilus-McCormick was recently a guest on iHeartRadio personality Keith “Papa” Walcott morning show underscoring the significance of keeping CD 20 “Black.”

“For too long, we’ve watched our districts get reshuffled, our voices diluted, and our power handed over without our say,” she said. “But this isn’t just politics, it’s about our lives, our communities, our survival.”

Cheriflus-McCormick said when districts are redrawn, they’re not just lines on a map, they’re wielding tools of control, deciding who gets heard and who gets silenced.

Amid a nationwide redistricting war including the Louisiana Supreme Court rejecting a Black majority voting Congressional map, gutting the 1965 Voter Rights Act, she said Black representation in Florida and beyond hangs in the balance during the midterm elections.

“This is our moment to reclaim that power,” she said. “Our voices can’t be muffled anymore. We must clutch this opportunity and vote like our lives depend on it, because they do.”