Rep. Ro Khanna Endorses Elijah Manley in Crowded CD 20 Primary
California Rep. Ro Khanna is backing 27-year-old Fort Lauderdale activist Elijah Manley against Debbie Wasserman Schultz in a packed South Florida primary race.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA — California Democratic U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna has endorsed Elijah Manley, a 27-year-old Fort Lauderdale activist challenging longtime incumbent Debbie Wasserman Schultz in South Florida’s newly reconfigured Congressional District 20, Manley’s campaign announced Thursday.
Manley is one of four Democrats running against Wasserman Schultz in a primary that has drawn significant attention following a contentious redistricting process. Wasserman Schultz opted to seek the CD 20 seat after her previous district, CD 22, was redrawn to become substantially more Republican-leaning under a new map designed by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office and approved by the GOP-controlled Legislature in April.
Khanna Calls Manley ‘The Only Progressive in This Race’
In a written statement, Khanna explained his endorsement, citing Manley’s refusal to accept corporate campaign contributions and his personal background.
“I’m proud to endorse Elijah Manley, the only progressive in this race,” Khanna said. “He refuses corporate money and will fight to end the US-funded genocide. He understands this district’s economic struggles firsthand, as an educator who works with its kids and who grew up homeless after his family lost their home in the global financial crisis.”
Manley responded by framing the endorsement as validation for a grassroots-driven campaign. “Congressman Khanna has never been afraid to challenge the political establishment when working people are getting left behind,” Manley said. “I’m honored to have his support. This campaign is proving that you don’t need corporate money, lobbyists, or political dynasties to build a movement. You need people. Together, we’re going to protect this district’s voice and send a fighter for working families in Washington.”
A Crowded Field With a Complicated Backdrop
Manley is making his fourth run for elected office. He first sought a seat on the Broward County School Board at age 19 and has since built a profile as a Democratic party organizer in Fort Lauderdale.
The other Democrats competing in the CD 20 primary are former Broward County Mayor Dale V.C. Holness, rapper and media personality Luther Campbell, and former CD 20 U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. Cherfilus-McCormick stepped down from the seat in April, just before she was scheduled to appear before the House Ethics Committee amid allegations of stealing federal disaster money.
Wasserman Schultz’s decision to seek CD 20 has drawn sharp criticism from some quarters. The Florida Legislative Black Caucus issued a statement noting that the district “has a rich history of Black representation,” according to the Florida Phoenix.
District Redrawn Under DeSantis Map
Congressional District 20, which covers parts of Broward County and surrounding South Florida communities, became the destination for several high-profile candidates after the Republican-controlled Legislature approved the DeSantis-backed redistricting plan in April. The new map significantly altered CD 22, where Wasserman Schultz had previously served, pushing her into a race for the redrawn CD 20 seat.
The Democratic primary is shaping up as one of the more closely watched congressional contests in South Florida, pitting an established party figure against a field of challengers with varying degrees of name recognition and political experience, according to Florida Phoenix reporting.
