Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) has secured the Democratic nomination for Florida's newly redrawn 20th Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ projections, overcoming intra-party criticism that the plurality-Black seat should be held by a Black Democrat.
Wasserman Schultz defeated four challengers in Tuesday's primary, including former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned earlier this year amid allegations she misused $5 million in FEMA funds for her campaign. Cherfilus-McCormick has denied any wrongdoing.
The congresswoman also fended off progressive Elijah Manley, who trailed her in fundraising but earned an endorsement from Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).
Her decision to run in the 20th District—rather than the neighboring 22nd—sparked backlash from some Black Democratic leaders. Dale Holness, a former Broward County mayor and one of her primary opponents, told The Hill in June: "The right thing to have done is run for 22. That is what is in the best interest of the people that she is working to represent, not take the easy way out."
Wasserman Schultz has defended her move, saying in a statement: "I have spent my whole adult life fighting for Broward County, and I want to continue to make life more affordable for the families in CD20 who are stretched to the breaking point by the Trump MAGA agenda."
The primary comes as Florida's congressional map was redrawn by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, a process that has reshaped races across the state. The Supreme Court's dismantling of Voting Rights Act protections encouraged GOP-led changes before the midterms, as Florida's House primaries close under the new map.
Wasserman Schultz currently represents the Pembroke Pines-based 25th District, which sits between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. She opted to run in the newly configured 20th, which is rated "solid Democratic" by the Cook Political Report, making her the heavy favorite in November.
The race highlighted broader tensions within the Democratic Party over representation and redistricting. Critics argued that a district with a plurality of Black voters should elect a Black representative, while Wasserman Schultz's supporters pointed to her long record of service in Broward County.
With the primary behind her, Wasserman Schultz now turns to the general election, where she is expected to easily retain the seat for Democrats. Her victory adds to a series of primary results tracked by Decision Desk HQ across Florida, Wyoming, and Alaska.
