Progressive Group Endorses Elijah Manley to Challenge Debbie Wasserman Schultz

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) has endorsed Elijah Manley, a 27-year-old substitute teacher and former homeless youth, in his primary bid to unseat 11-term congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. The election for Florida's newly drawn 20th congressional district is scheduled for next week.

Manley is running as an economic populist with a platform centered on universal healthcare and a federal jobs guarantee. A May poll by the Listener Group suggested Manley could lead Wasserman Schultz after voters received biographical information about the candidates. Other contenders in the race include former congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, former Broward County mayor Dale Holness, and activist Luther Campbell.

Wasserman Schultz, a former chair of the Democratic National Committee, faces criticism from African American leaders for running as the only white candidate in a majority-minority district where she does not reside. This tension follows Republican-led redistricting of the area. Yvette Clarke, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, described the situation as a disruption to a district that has historically seen CBC representation.