Overview
- Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced May 22, 2026 that she will run in the newly drawn 20th Congressional District in Broward County, citing her seniority and readiness to use congressional clout to help the county.
- Her decision immediately drew sharp criticism from Black Democratic leaders and local candidates who say the district has long been represented by Black lawmakers and should remain so.
- Former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned in April while facing House ethics scrutiny over an alleged improper $5 million FEMA payment, remains a candidate and will compete in the now-crowded Democratic primary.
- Republicans seized on the move to accuse Wasserman Schultz of abandoning her home area after GOP redistricting made her old seat more competitive, and multiple lawsuits are challenging the legislature’s new map.
- Coverage is split along partisan lines with local outlets and Democratic voices focusing on representation and community backlash while conservative outlets stress political survival and Republican opportunity.