For weeks, community leaders across Florida have been raising concerns about Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s decision to run in Florida’s 20th Congressional District, a district created under the Voting Rights Act so Black voters could elect a candidate of their choice. The response from many in the political establishment was simple: move on. But this week, something changed.
In a new interview with the Miami Herald, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried expressed disappointment in Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz for her failure to engage Black leaders before carpetbagging into this district. According to the Herald, leaders sought dialogue about the future of this district and the concerns being raised throughout the community. That conversation never happened because Debbie never responded.
“I am disappointed by the congresswoman’s refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue about her decision, especially after our Democratic ecosystem coordinated so closely to stop Republican redistricting,”
“We will keep fighting for the maps, the seats, and the process that reflect every Black Floridian’s voice.”
-Nikki Fried, Chair of the Florida Democratic Party (Miami Herald, 6/10/26)
The significance of this moment isn’t about one meeting. It’s about the fact that voices that were once being dismissed are now impossible to ignore. Over the past several months, leaders from the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida, members of the Democratic National Committee, elected officials, clergy, activists, and community advocates have all spoken out about the importance of preserving Black representation in this district. Now, even the chair of the Florida Democratic Party has publicly acknowledged the concerns many voters have been raising.
That matters, because it shows that communities still have the power to shape the conversation when they refuse to stay silent. This race has never been about me, one politician. It’s always been about whether the people who built this district will have a voice in its future. It’s about whether Democratic leaders will listen when communities raise concerns. And it’s about whether the next generation will have a chance to lead. What gives me hope is that our movement continues to grow.
We’ve earned endorsements from prominent Black and progressive leaders. We’ve gained ground in public polling. We’ve attracted coverage from CNN, Axios, CBS News, The Washington Post, the Miami Herald, Florida Politics, and media outlets across the country. Most importantly, we’ve built a grassroots coalition powered not by insiders or corporate PACs, but by ordinary people who believe this district deserves a representative rooted in the community.
The establishment assumed this race would be over before it began. Instead, it has become one of the most closely watched congressional primaries in America. That doesn’t happen without people like you. As we enter the next phase of this campaign, we’re going to need the resources to keep organizing, reaching voters, and competing against a well-funded political machine.
If you believe representation matters, if you believe communities deserve a voice, and if you believe the future belongs to those willing to fight for it, I’m asking you to make a contribution today.
— Elijah Manley
Candidate for Congress, FL-20
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