Veteran Dem defeats scandal-plagued former lawmaker, progressive challenger in Trump's backyard

Rep.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz has bested a young progressive challenger and an embattled former lawmaker after a hard-fought primary characterized by its racial overtones.

Schultz, a 21-year veteran of the House, stressed her seniority on the campaign trail and her ability to deliver services to constituents and secure federal funding for her district.

To secure her primary victory, Schultz defeated former Rep.

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned in April following fraud allegations, and 27-year-old activist and teacher Elijah Manley, who is aligned with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party .

JEFFRIES DECLINES TO BACK WASSERMAN SCHULTZ AS BLACK LEADERS REVOLT OVER DISTRICT SWITCH Mid-decade redistricting in Florida prompted Schultz to choose to run in Florida’s 20th Congressional District, which has a stronger Democratic lean than her home constituency.

Schultz, a White woman, drew considerable backlash for deciding to run in the district in May.

Criticism centered around the district being majority Black and having long been represented by a Black member of Congress .

Both Cherfilus-McCormick and Manley argued that Schultz representing Florida’s 20th Congressional District would be an affront to the African American community.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined to back Schultz during the dispute.

"While the Republicans are trying their hardest to silence Black voices, I don't expect somebody in our own party, a White Democrat, to do the same," Manley said of Schultz at a candidate debate.

"We are not going back to a time where there were no Black people in Congress." TLAIB UNDER FIRE FOR WORKING TO UNSEAT TWO JEWISH HOUSE DEMOCRATS IN FLORIDA: 'NO COINCIDENCE' Cherfilus-McCormick accused Schultz of "district forum shopping" and said electing her would amount to the erasure of Black history and power.

During a debate, Schultz defended her candidacy by emphasizing her extensive tenure in Congress and her experience representing Black and Caribbean communities in her former district.

Cherfilus-McCormick’s candidacy was itself mired in controversy.