Ro Khanna endorses Elijah Manley in CD 20 Democratic primary

Elijah Manley, one of the four Democrats opposing Debbie Wasserman Schultz in Broward County’s newly reconfigured Congressional District 20, announced Thursday that he has been endorsed by California Democratic U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna.

Wasserman Schultz chose to run after her existing CD 22 seat was redrawn, becoming much more GOP-leaning as part of the new map designed by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office and approved by the GOP-controlled Legislature in April.

Her decision has been extremely controversial. Among the critics has been the Florida Legislative Black Caucus, which noted in a statement that the district “has a rich history of Black representation.”

“I’m proud to endorse Elijah Manley, the only progressive in this race,” Khanna said in a written statement. “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, 27, is a Fort Lauderdale activist and Democratic party organizer making his fourth bid for elected office. His first run was for the Broward County School Board at age 19.

“Congressman Khanna has never been afraid to challenge the political establishment when working people are getting left behind,” Manley said in a written statement. “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.”

The other Democrats in the race are former Broward County Mayor Dale V.C. Holness, Luther Campbell, and former CD 20 U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who stepped down from the seat in April just before she was set to appear before the House Ethics Committee amid allegations of stealing federal disaster money.