Veterans’ advocacy group Common Defense backs Elijah Manley in competitive CD 20 race

A grassroots organization of veterans and military families is rallying behind Elijah Manley’s bid for Florida’s 20th Congressional District.

Common Defense, a national veterans advocacy organization, announced its endorsement this week of Manley, citing his policy commitments and personal experience with economic hardship.

“Elijah’s story reflects the resilience of so many working families throughout the country. Having experienced housing insecurity and poverty firsthand, he understands the challenges families face because he has lived them. Elijah has turned his pain into purpose and spent his life organizing to make government work for the people who need it most,” said Naveed Shah, a U.S. Army veteran and Political Director at Common Defense.

“We need leaders who will fight for affordable housing, accessible healthcare, good-paying jobs, and opportunity for all. Elijah has shown he is willing to stand up for those values, and we’re proud to stand with him.”

Shah added that Common Defense is “ready to mobilize” to help send Manley to Congress.

The Common Defense endorsement adds to nods Manley received from U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, Democratic Black Caucus President Armando Grundy-Gomes, the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida, Black Voters Matter lead organizer Jamil Davis and SAVE Action PAC.

Manley, a Fort Lauderdale native and educator, gained prominence after the 2018 Parkland shooting, when he ran for the Broward County School Board at age 19, earning more than 43,000 votes.

He faces U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, former U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, former Broward Mayor Dale Holness and rapper-turned-community leader Luther Campbell in the Democratic Primary for CD 20.

The district covers an inland portion of Broward spanning all or part of Coconut Creek, Deerfield Beach, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderhill, North Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Plantation, Sunrise, Tamarac and Wilton Manors.

CD 20 remains a Democratic stronghold after redistricting, making the Primary decisive.

Polling last month showed Manley gaining ground, trailing Wasserman Schultz 21% to 39% in an initial survey, but surging to 36% to 27% over the Congresswoman after voters heard undisclosed candidate biographical information.

The Primary is Aug. 18, followed by the General Election on Nov. 3.