Jesse Scheckner
Keeping Black representation in Florida’s 20th Congressional District is vital, and former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness is the best candidate to ensure that happens, the Broward County Democratic Black Caucus says.
The Caucus recently endorsed Holness, citing his decades of service to the Black community and his track record delivering results for Broward residents.
In an open letter this week, Caucus President Corey Shearer highlighted the important legacy in CD 20 of sending a Black Representative to Congress for decades, which is now under threat following redistricting that dismantled the district’s majority-Black composition.
“With the significant loss of Congressional Black Caucus seats across the nation, the attack on African American history and identity, losing another Congressional Black Caucus seat, a seat that is part of our hard-fought political victory, in a state where it has never been easy, is one more blow that we just cannot bare,” Shearer said.
“Throwing even half of our collective energy to Dale Holness will allow us to survive this catastrophic challenge to Black leadership across the nation. We must keep Black voices from being further silenced!”
Holness brings nearly two decades of elected service to the contest. He served on the Lauderhill City Commission before joining the Broward County Commission, where he served as Mayor.
During his tenure, the Caucus said, Holness delivered affordable housing in underinvested neighborhoods, fought for rental relief during economic hardship and expanded contracting opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses from 10% to 44%.
Holness founded the Florida International Trade and Cultural Expo (FITCE), which connected Broward’s small businesses to global markets and earned the county a U.S. Presidential Export Award. He has also made care for vulnerable elderly residents a consistent focus, the Caucus said.
His campaign centers on four key commitments: rebuilding America’s middle class for the 21st century, making healthcare a human right, building an immigration system that reflects America’s values as a nation of families and delivering world-class education in every ZIP code.
Holness faces a crowded Democratic Primary including rapper-turned-community leader Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell, former U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, activist Elijah Manley and sitting U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Wasserman Schultz has faced ample criticism for deciding to run in CD 20, a Democratic stronghold, rather than her home district of CD 22, which now leans Republican, post-redistricting.
On the Republican side, Brent Andersen, Lateresa Jones, Rod Joseph and Carla Spalding are running.
Independent candidate Kedner Maxime is also in the race.
CD 20 covers an inland portion of Broward spanning Coconut Creek, Deerfield Beach, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderhill, North Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Plantation, Sunrise, Tamarac and Wilton Manors.
The Primary is Aug. 18, followed by the General Election on Nov. 3.
