Cherfilus-McCormick Accuses Wasserman Schultz of Complicity in 'Erasure' of the Black Community
South Florida Black Democrats Oppose Wasserman Schultz
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz's decision to jump into the majority-minority district in Florida's newly-redrawn 20th Congressional District continues to divide Democrats.
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D), who has represented the district for the past several election cycles, and recently
resigned as a result of an ongoing federal indictment, is the loudest voice of opposition to Rep. Wasserman Schultz's
jump into the district after the congressional district lines were redrawn.
The current district Rep. Wasserman Schultz represents now leans Republican.
It is important to note that there is no love lost between Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick and Rep. Wasserman Schultz, as it appears that there has been long-standing feud between the two women that stems back to when Cherfilus-McCormick first primary challenged the late Rep. Alcee Hastings in two
past congressional races.
According to another House Democrat who spoke to us on the condition of anonymity, the relationship between the two women was "bitter" behind closed doors.
During a recent interview with
The Floridian, Cherfilus-McCormick was asked about Wasserman Schultz's candidacy in CD 20.
Cherfilus-McCormick took the opportunity to take swipe at Wasserman Schultz, saying this run for office was for political expediency or for "an opportunity for themselves."
"Well, I think we need to make sure that we have people who actually have a connection to the district, and that people are running for the district because they want to help the people, not because it's an opportunity for themselves. Really understanding the community, the nature of it is really what's important.," said Cherfilus-McCormick.
Cherfilus-McCormick added that Wasserman Schultz is "part of the erasure" of the history of the Black community.
"And what I'm hearing from the constituents is they feel like, for the first time, a Democrat is part of the erasure, not acknowledging the historical context, not acknowledging the years and the centuries of suppression, fighting people from actually voting.," Cherfilus-McCormick added. "How many people died in order to vote? And so we need people who actually understand the district, who have been in the district, and I'm that person."
Cherfilus-McCormick continued, outlining her belief that Wasserman Schultz did not have a relationship with the Black community, saying that the long-time congresswoman from Weston, Florida has "never been present" when it comes to representing the community.
"There's never been an interest in the district, I mean, she's been in office for more than 20 years. Where has that relationship been? Where have you been actually moving and talking about our issues? We've never seen it," she added. " We just see Debbie when there's an election where she's trying to be there for souls to the polls, but every day when we're fighting to actually uplift and change the trajectory of the entire community, she's never been present."
Currently, there several other Black Democrats running inthe Democratic congressional primary election.
Luther Campbell, Elijah Manley, Commissioner Dale Holness, Cherfilus,-McCormick, and Rudy Moise, could split the Black vote enough to allow Wasserman Schultz to cruise into the general election.
All bets are off if there is a head-to-head primary between 'DWS' and Cherfilus-McCormick.
