Florida's new congressional map, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis and upheld by a state court on May 26, 2026, has drastically altered the political landscape, reducing the number of Democratic-leaning seats from eight to four. This redistricting eliminated four districts previously held by Democrats, including that of Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Republican-led states are increasingly engaging in partisan and racial redistricting efforts across the South, which could reduce Black representation in the House by up to a third. The new map creates 24 Republican-leaning districts and only four Democratic-leaning ones, with no court-ordered stay in place before the June 8 qualifying deadline.
The most controversial impact of this redistricting is in Florida's 20th Congressional District, which is historically Black and has elected Black representatives for decades. Following the redrawing of her own district, Wasserman Schultz, an 11-term incumbent and former Democratic National Committee chair, announced her decision to run in the 20th District. This move has sparked outrage among Black Democrats and community leaders who view it as a "power grab" and an undermining of Black political power, especially since Wasserman Schultz lives in the new, Republican-leaning 22nd District. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has notably withheld an endorsement for Wasserman Schultz amid the controversy.
Four Black Democrats who are also running in the 20th District held discussions about consolidating behind a single candidate to challenge Wasserman Schultz. Critics argue that her decision to run in a "safe" Democratic seat, rather than contest a more challenging Republican-leaning district, disregards the importance of Black representation. Wasserman Schultz, who had raised $2.5 million by March, significantly outpaces other candidates like Elijah Manley, who had raised $780,000. Other contenders include rapper Luther Campbell and former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness. The 20th District, entirely within Broward County, has Black voters comprising 50% of the Democratic primary electorate, and was intentionally drawn to secure Black political representation.
