The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) has endorsed Elijah Manley, a 27-year-old substitute teacher who overcame childhood homelessness, in his bid to unseat veteran Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz in Florida's primary election.
Manley is running in the newly drawn 20th congressional district, where the PCCC casts the race as a contest between a young economic populist and a stalwart of the Democratic establishment.
Controversial Candidacy
Wasserman Schultz, 59, an 11-term congresswoman and former chair of the Democratic National Committee, has faced criticism from African American leaders for running as the sole white candidate in a majority-minority district where she does not reside.
The district was redrawn after Florida Republicans created gerrymandered maps that split Wasserman Schultz's current seat into five parts. She chose to run in the deep blue 20th district, represented by Black Democrats for over 30 years, instead of the 22nd district where she lives.
Yvette Clarke, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, told Politico: "It's a painful situation. To have a beloved colleague who made a decision basically to run in a district where historically there's been CBC representation, and I know that the community has been really disrupted by it."
Primary Field and Manley's Platform
Other candidates include former congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned in April over allegations of misusing $5m in federal funds (she denies the claims); former Broward County mayor Dale Holness; and community activist Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell, a rapper known for 2 Live Crew.
Manley, who is Black, grew up homeless in Fort Lauderdale's Sistrunk neighborhood. He campaigns on universal healthcare, a federal jobs guarantee, and building an economy where workers have rights and the wealthy pay their fair share.
Stephanie Taylor, PCCC co-founder, said: "Elijah Manley isn't just talking about the fight for working people – he's lived it. He's running a campaign built on Medicare for All, good jobs, and an economy that finally works for the people, not just the wealthy and well-connected. Debbie Wasserman Schultz represents the Democratic establishment. Voters are ready for young new fighters like Elijah."
Polling and Endorsement
A May poll by the Listener Group, cited by the PCCC, suggested Manley could pose a serious challenge. In an initial head-to-head, Wasserman Schultz led 39% to 21%, but after voters received basic biographical information, Manley moved ahead 36% to 27%.
Manley welcomed the endorsement, saying the group had been on the frontlines of every major fight for working people for over a decade. "I'm honoured to earn their endorsement," he said. "Together, we're going to fight for the working families of South Florida and build an economy that works for everyone."
Wasserman Schultz has been a divisive figure since resigning as DNC chair after leaked emails suggested bias toward Hillary Clinton in the 2016 primary. Manley tweeted in May: "Debbie Wasserman Schultz is carpetbagging to FL-20, a black opportunity district instead of running in her own. DWS is everything that's wrong with the Democratic establishment. From insider trading to payday lenders. I look forward to retiring her from public office permanently."
The PCCC is also backing Oliver Larkin, a democratic socialist organizer, against Jared Moskowitz in Florida's 25th district. The group noted its endorsed candidates who have already won primaries include Peggy Flanagan, Abdul El-Sayed, James Talarico, and Brad Lander.
