Key facts
- The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) endorsed Elijah Manley in Florida's 20th congressional district primary.
- Manley, a 27-year-old substitute teacher, is challenging 11-term congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
- Wasserman Schultz opted to run in the 20th district after Republican-drawn maps altered her current seat.
- Manley's platform includes universal healthcare, a federal jobs guarantee, and taxing the wealthy.
- A May poll indicated Manley could pose a significant challenge to Wasserman Schultz.
Progressives are backing Elijah Manley, a 27-year-old substitute teacher, in his bid to unseat veteran Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz in Florida's 20th congressional district primary. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) announced its endorsement, framing the race as a contest between a young economic populist and an establishment figure.
Wasserman Schultz, 59, an 11-term congresswoman and former chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), is facing criticism over her decision to run in the majority-minority 20th district following Republican-drawn redistricting maps that fractured her current seat. She chose not to run in her home district, the 22nd, and instead entered the deep blue 20th, which has historically been represented by Black Democrats.
Yvette Clarke, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, expressed that the situation is "painful" for the community. Other candidates in the primary include former congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, former Broward County mayor Dale Holness, and rapper Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell.
Manley, who is Black and experienced homelessness in his youth, is campaigning on policies such as universal healthcare, a federal jobs guarantee, and ensuring the wealthy pay their fair share. PCCC co-founder Stephanie Taylor highlighted Manley's lived experience and contrasted him with Wasserman Schultz, whom she described as representing the Democratic establishment.
A May poll by the Listener Group suggested Manley could be a serious challenger. While Wasserman Schultz initially led 39% to 21% in a head-to-head matchup, Manley took a 36% to 27% lead after voters were provided with biographical information about the candidates. Manley welcomed the PCCC endorsement, stating the group has been "on the front lines of every major fight for working people."
Wasserman Schultz has been a controversial figure within the Democratic party, notably resigning as DNC chair after leaked emails suggested bias in favor of Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential primary. Manley has previously criticized Wasserman Schultz on social media, calling her a "carpetbagger" and accusing her of representing "everything that's wrong with the Democratic establishment."
The PCCC is also supporting Oliver Larkin, a democratic socialist challenging Jared Moskowitz in Florida's 25th congressional district. The committee noted several other successful primary endorsements this cycle, including Peggy Flanagan, Abdul El-Sayed, James Talarico, and Brad Lander.