U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D), Luther Campbell (D), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D), Dale Holness (D), Elijah Manley (D), and two other candidates are running in the Democratic primary for Florida's 20th Congressional District on August 18, 2026. As of June 2026, Wasserman Schultz, Campbell, Cherfilus-McCormick, Holness, and Manley led in endorsements, polling, fundraising, and local media attention.
The election is taking place in the context of redistricting that changed the boundaries of the 20th District from those used in 2024. In 2024, Wasserman Schultz was elected to the 25th District and Cherfilus-McCormick was elected to the 20th District. Wasserman Schultz is running for re-election in the 20th District after redistricting shifted the 25th District towards Republicans. The New York Times' Patricia Mazzei said, "[T]he 20th District is historically Black and has elected a Black representative for decades. The Black Democrats running felt affronted by Ms. Wasserman Schultz’s decision to enter the race, especially with a spate of Republican gerrymanders across the South this spring almost certain to reduce Black representation in the House."
Wasserman Schultz was elected to the House in 2004. She served in the Florida Senate from 2000 to 2004 and in the Florida House of Representatives from 1992 to 2000. Wasserman Schultz says she will "use all my seniority and influence in Washington to continue to make our lives more affordable, and make Broward a safer, less expensive place to live, raise a family and retire. This District deserves a representative who won’t be learning on the job and has a proven record of results."
Campbell is a coach, businessman, and former recording artist who was the lead singer for 2 Live Crew. Campbell ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Miami-Dade County in 2011. Campbell's campaign website says, "From helping young athletes earn college opportunities and mentoring future leaders, to building businesses that created jobs and defending free speech all the way to the Supreme Court, my life's work has been about creating opportunities for others. ... Those experiences taught me that leadership isn't about titles—it's about results."
Cherfilus-McCormick was elected to the House in 2022 and resigned in April 2026 after a federal grand jury indicted her on charges of stealing federal disaster relief funds and using the laundered money to fund her congressional campaign. As of June 2026, Cherfilus-McCormick's trial was scheduled for February 2027.[9] Cherfilus-McCormick's campaign website says, "As your Congresswoman, I've delivered for the district by leading the fight to fix housing, tackle inflation, grow our local economy, and expand access to quality affordable healthcare."
Holness is a real estate broker. He served on the Broward County Commission from 2010 to 2022 and on the Lauderhill City Commission from 2004 to 2010. In 2021, Holness lost the Democratic primary in the 20th District to Cherfilus-McCormick by five votes out of 49,000 cast. Holness' campaign website says, "With over 20 years as an elected official and a lifetime of advocacy, Holness has become a symbol of what effective, principled, and people-first leadership looks like."
Manley is an educator and organizer. He ran unsuccessfully for Broward County School Board in 2018 and for the Florida House of Representatives in 2020 and 2022. In a campaign ad, Manley said, "I come from the streets -- the streets of District 20 -- this community, this working-class community, and I think that's why my candidacy is so important. I understand what it's like to go homeless, or hungry, or struggle, and I'm able to relate to the people in this community who don't have a voice."
Also running in the primary are Mark Douglas (D) and Maisha Williams (D).
As of June 2026, major election forecasters rated the general election Solid/Safe Democratic.