Axios Fort Lauderdale

July 27, 2026
π Let's finish July strong.
π§ Sounds like: "Camera" by Charli xcx
π§οΈ Today's weather: Showers and thunderstorms, with a high of 91 and a low of 78.
Today's newsletter is 911 words β a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: π₯ Inside SoFlo's most heated race
The Aug. 18 Democratic primary will likely decide who'll be the next representative of Florida's Congressional District 20.
Why it matters: The historically Black, Democratic-leaning district was redrawn under Gov. Ron DeSantis' new congressional map, reducing the Black majority by pulling in surrounding white communities.
- The seat has been held by a Black representative since its creation in the early 1990s.
Between the lines: The seat is widely known as the state's bluest.
Catch up quick: Redistricting left longtime Democrats like U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz scrambling to find a place to run. The new map essentially eliminated her seat in the 25th district.
- In late May, Wasserman Schultz entered the crowded District 20 race as the lone white candidate, drawing ire from local Black leaders and her fellow candidates.
- The redrawn 22nd District, where Wasserman Schultz lives, is now a Republican-leaning seat.
- The four Black candidates failed to unite behind one opponent against Wasserman Schultz after initial discussions.
The other side: The four Republican challengers are Pompano Beach insurance broker Brent Andersen, child advocate Lateresa "LA" Jones, U.S. Navy veteran Carla Spalding and U.S. Army veteran and Haitian immigrant Rod Joseph, who recently said people can't be born gay.
π Keep scrolling to learn about the Democratic candidates
2. π Zoom in: The Democrats
Debbie Wasserman Schultz has emphasized her experience as the state's longest-serving Democratic representative with the "seniority and the seasoning to be able to deliver" for the district.
Luther Campbell, commonly known as Uncle Luke, is a community activist, football coach, rapper and former frontman of 2 Live Crew.
- At Thursday's NAACP candidate forum, Campbell vowed to be a fighter for the district and get the Congressional Black Caucus in order. A key issue for him is to create jobs by expanding Port Everglades.
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was the first Haitian-American Democrat elected to Congress after winning the District 20 seat in 2022.
- She resigned in April as the House Ethics Committee was set to discipline her for allegations that she funneled $5 million in COVID relief funds to her campaign. She has pleaded not guilty and faces trial next February.
- She has emphasized her experience in Congress and how she brought $580 million for housing to the district.
Dale Holness, who served as Lauderhill commissioner, Broward County commissioner and county mayor, lost by five votes to Cherfilus-McCormick in the Democratic primary in 2021.
- At last week's candidate forum, he highlighted how he has the network to get things done in South Florida and knows the district "more than anyone else" as he has lived there for 51 years.
- He says his priority is addressing economic inequities.
Elijah Manley is the most progressive voice in the race, a 27-year-old teacher and longtime community activist who grew up in poverty and homelessness in Broward.
- He first ran for a school board seat at 19 and previously ran for the Florida House in 2022. He has said that he hasn't taken money from corporations, special interests or billionaires.
- At the NAACP forum, he said he would've joined the other 100 Democrats in supporting Kentucky Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie's amendment to cut off aid to Israel.
- He said he supports Medicare for All, providing people with $20,000 in down payment assistance to buy their first home, legislation that guarantees everyone a job and tuition-free college.
3. ππΉ Uncertain future ahead
Many South Florida Haitians are living in fear as an estimated 350,000 Haitian immigrants across the U.S. brace for their Temporary Protected Status to end Monday, my Axios colleague Martin Vassolo writes.
The big picture: The Trump administration's decision to end TPS will separate families and hurt Florida's health care, hospitality and tourism industries, advocates and business leaders say.
- TPS has protected Haitians and provided them work authorization since 2010.
Zoom in: We're home to the largest Haitian diaspora in the U.S.
- TPS holders are being told to stay home and not risk exposing themselves to immigration enforcement, says Carline Paul, executive director of Good Samaritan Relief Inc.
Paul says she's been advising parents to consider homeschooling so they don't have to pick up kids from school and risk getting detained.
- Families are also being encouraged to consider alternative custody for their U.S.-born children, via guardianship or power of attorney.
- An estimated 50,000 children have been born in the U.S. to Haitian parents with TPS.
Threat level: Starting Monday, TPS holders could face deportation depending on the specifics of their case, Joseph says.
- "On a general basis, there is a lot of fear, a lot of concern."
4. Yacht Rock: π The King isn't returning after all
π LeBron James announced Friday that he'll finish his career with the Philadelphia 76ers. (Axios)
- In other basketball news, the Duke-Michigan game set to be played at loanDepot Park on Dec. 21 was called off over broadcast rights issues. (CBS Sports)
π All 1,300 Broward school buses will have AI cameras to catch drivers who pass a bus while the flashing stop arm is extended. (Sun Sentinel)
- Enforcement will begin on Sept. 9 with $225 citations.
π° Miami billionaire and GOP megadonor Ken Griffin donated $10 million to Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds. (Miami Herald)
- It's the largest contribution to the Donalds campaign to date.
π Naomi is very disappointed in LeBron for ring chasing this late in his career.
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This newsletter was edited by Jeff Weiner.
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