In Breaking news today, South Florida, out community organizer Elijah Manley announced he is running for Congress. He will challenge the U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick in the Democratic Primary next year. If elected, the 26-year-old Fort Lauderdale native could become the youngest member of Congress. In his Twitter post, Manley said,
“I’m running for Florida’s 20th congressional district…This community needs a working-class champion, not a politician distracted by legal battles, scandals, and potential indictments. I’m not a Washington politician or an insider. I’ve spent more than a decade fighting for working people right here in this community.”
Manley, who faced homelessness as a youth, stressed his commitment to tackling poverty in the region and his experience working as a substitute teacher and in the local hospitality industry. He’s set to earn his bachelor’s degree in history this Spring from the University of Maryland Global Campus. His announcement comes amid investigations into Cherfilus-McCormick’s financial practices, including allegations of campaign finance violations and irregularities with Trinity Health Care Services. As South Florida’s LGBTQ Black community watches, Manley’s challenge could mark a pivotal moment in both local politics and the future of the intersections of Youth, Black and LGBTQ representation in Congress.
