In Tamarac, Florida, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz campaigns vigorously, wearing red, white, and blue sneakers with a matching manicure, as she seeks reelection. In a twist, she aims for her 12th term in a newly drawn district after Republicans altered the state’s congressional map earlier this year.
Wasserman Schultz, previously the Democratic National Committee chair, shifted from her usual Fort Lauderdale base. Now she’s running as the only white candidate against four Black competitors in Broward County. This area has historically sent Black Democrats to Congress since 1992. Changes in district lines followed a Supreme Court ruling that weakened the Voting Rights Act, allowing states like Florida to redefine House districts.
“For her to come in like this is just another Broward seat, it’s a complete erasure of our history, our fight for Black access,”stated former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.
Elijah Manley, a 27-year-old progressive candidate and teacher, noted that Republicans’ redistricting was not Wasserman Schultz’s doing. However, he critiqued her choice to run in this district instead of a new conservative-leaning one in her area. He warned of a potential decrease in Congressional Black Caucus members.
Wasserman Schultz remains well-funded among five Democratic candidates. Florida’s election rules don’t require a majority to win primaries, further enhancing her position. She defended her candidacy by highlighting her experience representing Broward County communities for decades, asserting her ability to advocate for diverse populations.
The redrawn district comes as part of a strategy supported by former President Donald Trump and actioned by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to change the state’s political landscape. The plan seeks to reduce Democratic congressional seats in the region.
Wasserman Schultz’s previous district was diverse with a substantial Hispanic population. However, the new district has a Black majority with significant Caribbean representation, shifting demographic dynamics.
Despite facing criticism, Wasserman Schultz argued her extensive political experience benefits constituents. She’s actively engaged with the communities and emphasized learning Spanish to communicate more effectively with Hispanic constituents.
A campaign visit demonstrated her local prominence, as voters from various backgrounds recognized and interacted with her, expressing concerns and support. Yusdefs Delgado, a voter of Colombian descent, expressed admiration for her social media presence and trusted her policymaking despite political differences.
Candidates like Cherfilus-McCormick voiced skepticism about Wasserman Schultz representing the district effectively in light of evolving national issues, including perceived setbacks following recent Supreme Court decisions related to racial equity in politics.
Wasserman Schultz remains determined, emphasizing the importance of community values and challenging the political strategies she associates with Trump and DeSantis, urging voters to consider all qualities, not just racial composition, when choosing their representative.