Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) is projected to win Florida's 20th Congressional District, defeating Republican challenger Brent Andersen, according to Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ). With 69% of votes counted, Wasserman Schultz leads Andersen by a staggering 60-point margin—78% to 18%—securing another term in a seat she previously held from 2005 to 2013.
The district, which includes parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties, has a significant Black voting population. The seat became vacant in April when former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) resigned after four years in office. Wasserman Schultz's victory comes after a contentious primary in August, where she defeated Cherfilus-McCormick, who had sought to reclaim the seat.
Wasserman Schultz's path to this district was shaped by Florida's GOP-led redistricting, which redrew her previous 25th District to favor Republicans. That forced her to seek election in a new area, prompting criticism from some Black Democrats who argued her move undermined opportunities for Black political representation and disregarded the district's history.
During the primary, Wasserman Schultz defended her candidacy, emphasizing her long congressional record and leadership roles. "I know how to stand up for, fight for and represent diverse communities, and the feedback that I'm getting all across Congressional District 20 has been enthusiastic and supportive," she told NBC News's Kristen Welker in May. "They know me, and I know them, and they know that they want someone who has the seasoning, the experience."
Her tenure in Congress spans nearly two decades, having represented Florida's 23rd District from 2013 to 2023 and the 25th District since 2023. She has held prominent party roles, including chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2011 to 2016.
The race drew attention as part of broader Florida election battles, with Democrats aiming to hold onto seats amid a shifting political landscape. Wasserman Schultz's projected win is a bright spot for the party in a state where Republicans have gained ground in recent cycles.
Andersen, a Republican, ran a low-profile campaign and was heavily outspent. The district's Democratic lean made the outcome predictable, but Wasserman Schultz's primary win was seen as a test of her political resilience.
With the victory, Wasserman Schultz will continue to represent a district she knows well, having previously represented nine of its 14 cities. Her experience is likely to be a key asset as she returns to Washington for another term.
