Debbie Wasserman Schultz Wins Florida House Seat

Debbie Wasserman Schultz secured victory over Republican Brent Andersen in the race for Florida’s 20th Congressional District, earning her a twelfth term in office.

Wasserman Schultz won with an overwhelming majority against her opponent. The Associated Press declared her as the winner at 7:09 p.m. EST on election day. She will represent a district that previously saw Haitian American lawmaker Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned amid federal corruption charges and ethics investigations.

Wasserman Schultz’s win marks a significant shift in representation for this diverse district with a substantial Black and Caribbean population. The 20th District is home to many residents of Haitian origin, though the specific figure provided by the Census Bureau was not independently verified from multiple sources.

Andersen, who founded a commercial and property insurance company, highlighted his experience as key to addressing rising concerns about lowering property insurance costs in Florida.

The election comes at a time when debates over Black political representation, immigration policies affecting Haitian families, and U.S. policy toward Haiti are prominent issues.

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was the first Haitian American elected to Congress from Florida before her resignation this year. Wasserman Schultz previously served as chair of the Democratic National Committee and has a background in state politics, though specific details about her tenure in the Florida House and Senate were not confirmed by multiple sources.

Florida’s 20th Congressional District is known for its significant Haitian American population, with estimates suggesting there are around 569,000 people of Haitian origin living in the state according to data from a U.S. Census Bureau report (The Haitian Times).