--- title: "Schultz vs. Andersen: 2026 Florida’s 20th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-fl-20" updated: "2026-08-19" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Florida’s 20th District race: Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) vs. Brent Andersen (R) Rating: Safe D · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 19, 2026 The 2026 election for Florida's 20th Congressional District matches Democratic incumbent Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz against Republican nominee Brent Andersen. The contest follows mid-decade redistricting in Florida and the resignation of former incumbent Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, prompting Wasserman Schultz to seek re-election in District 20. The race hinges on constituent concerns regarding property insurance costs, healthcare access, public safety, and economic development. ## Candidates - **Debbie Wasserman Schultz** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://debbiewassermanschultz.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Debbie_Wasserman_Schultz) - **Brent Andersen** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://brentandersenfl.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brent_Andersen) ## Issues ### Insurance and Cost of Living Salience: high Andersen advocates for market-based insurance reforms and deregulation to tackle cost-of-living challenges, whereas Wasserman Schultz relies on her congressional seniority to direct federal appropriations to South Florida. **Debbie Wasserman Schultz:** Supports federal investments to lower costs Wasserman Schultz focuses on leveraging her seniority on the House Appropriations Committee to lower costs and strengthen South Florida's economy. She pledges to use her legislative influence to make Broward County a more affordable place to live, work, and retire. Her platform highlights bringing federal investments directly to community programs, healthcare, and infrastructure. - Leverage seniority on the House Appropriations Committee to reduce living costs for local families. - Deliver federal investments for South Florida infrastructure and community health centers. - Defend safety-net programs like Medicare and Social Security to protect seniors' financial stability. > “use all my seniority and influence in Washington to continue to make our lives more affordable, and make Broward a safer, less expensive place to live, raise a family and retire.” > — Debbie Wasserman Schultz, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Debbie_Wasserman_Schultz) **Brent Andersen:** Supports market-based insurance and deregulation Andersen draws on his experience as a commercial insurance broker to advocate for market-driven solutions to Florida's property insurance and housing crises. He proposes federal reinsurance options and deregulation to lower property insurance premiums and housing prices. His platform emphasizes removing federal regulatory barriers to expand pathways to homeownership. - Advocate for market-based reforms to stabilize Florida's property insurance market. - Support federal reinsurance solutions to reduce pressure on homeowners. - Reduce federal regulations that increase housing costs and limit housing availability. - Expand pathways to homeownership and assist seniors staying in their homes. > “As an insurance professional who lives the property insurance crisis every day, I will fight for market-based solutions that bring down premiums, housing costs, and the overall cost of living.” > — Brent Andersen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brent_Andersen) ### Gun Safety and Second Amendment Salience: high Wasserman Schultz backs federal gun control legislation to prevent violence, while Andersen pledges to protect Second Amendment rights against federal restrictions. **Debbie Wasserman Schultz:** Supports gun violence prevention legislation Wasserman Schultz advocates for federal gun violence prevention laws to reduce gun violence nationwide. She works with anti-gun-violence organizations and participated in House sit-ins advocating for stricter federal gun safety standards. Her candidacy is endorsed by leading gun safety groups including Giffords and the Brady Campaign. - Advocate for federal legislation to prevent gun violence. - Endorsed by gun control groups including Giffords and the Brady Campaign. > “preventing senseless tragedies of gun violence” > — Debbie Wasserman Schultz, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Debbie_Wasserman_Schultz) **Brent Andersen:** Supports defending the Second Amendment Andersen pledges to uphold constitutional principles, explicitly including defending Second Amendment rights. He opposes federal gun control measures that restrict law-abiding citizens' firearm rights. - Defend Second Amendment firearm rights as a fundamental constitutional principle. - Promote limited government and oppose federal gun restrictions. > “I will defend limited government, the Second Amendment, secure borders, parental rights, and the American Dream for the next generation.” > — Brent Andersen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brent_Andersen) ### Public Safety and Crime Salience: medium Andersen prioritizes full funding for local police officers and school resource officers, whereas Wasserman Schultz emphasizes federal legislative protections for children and crime victims. **Debbie Wasserman Schultz:** Supports federal child safety and crime prevention laws Wasserman Schultz highlights a legislative record of strengthening protections for children and crime victims. She sponsored the PROTECT Our Children Act to fund law enforcement efforts against child exploitation and authored the Rape Survivor Child Custody Act to allow sexual assault survivors to terminate rapists' parental rights. - Sponsored the PROTECT Our Children Act establishing federal law enforcement protections for youth. - Authored the Rape Survivor Child Custody Act signed into law in 2015. - Passed the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act to prevent public pool drownings. > “make Broward a safer, less expensive place to live, raise a family and retire.” > — Debbie Wasserman Schultz, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Debbie_Wasserman_Schultz) **Brent Andersen:** Supports full law enforcement funding and school safety Andersen makes local public safety a core priority, advocating full funding for local police and law enforcement agencies. He supports placing resource officers in schools, strengthening school security, and holding violent criminals accountable. - Support full funding for local police and law enforcement agencies. - Strengthen school security and support school resource officers. - Invest in community-based crime prevention while holding violent offenders accountable. > “Support full funding for local law enforcement.” > — Brent Andersen, via [Campaign site](https://brentandersenfl.com) ### Small Business and Economic Development Salience: medium Andersen seeks to foster economic growth through deregulation and vocational training, while Wasserman Schultz focuses on bringing federal spending and infrastructure dollars to South Florida. **Debbie Wasserman Schultz:** Supports federal funding for job creation and infrastructure Wasserman Schultz focuses on securing federal grants and appropriations to spur job growth in South Florida. She emphasizes that federal funding for infrastructure, Everglades restoration, and community health centers brings well-paying jobs to the district. - Deliver federal funding for South Florida infrastructure and job-creating projects. - Utilize House Appropriations leadership to direct capital to local businesses and public services. > “brought home billions of dollars for South Florida – from Everglades restoration, infrastructure improvements, community health centers, veterans’ housing and healthcare, non-profit security grants, and the well-paying jobs that come with those projects.” > — Debbie Wasserman Schultz, via [Campaign site](https://debbiewassermanschultz.com) **Brent Andersen:** Supports small business deregulation and workforce training Andersen proposes expanding workforce development through vocational training, technical education, and employer apprenticeships. To assist small businesses, he advocates for reducing federal regulations, expanding capital access, and establishing local incubators for minority and emerging entrepreneurs. - Expand vocational and technical education programs and apprenticeships. - Reduce federal regulations on small businesses and expand capital access. - Establish local business incubators for minority-owned and emerging businesses. - Ensure federal workforce funding directly reaches workers rather than administrative bureaucracies. > “I will bring private-sector experience and fiscal responsibility to Congress to grow jobs and opportunity in South Florida.” > — Brent Andersen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brent_Andersen) ### Environment and Everglades Restoration Salience: medium Wasserman Schultz focuses on federal climate legislation and Everglades restoration, whereas Andersen concentrates on protecting local neighborhood parks and green spaces. **Debbie Wasserman Schultz:** Supports Everglades restoration and climate action Serving on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, Wasserman Schultz prioritizes funding for Florida Everglades restoration and climate action. She works to protect air quality and drinking water from toxic chemicals and holds an endorsement from the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund. - Lead congressional efforts to fund Everglades restoration. - Advocate for federal action on climate change. - Safeguard local drinking water and air from toxic chemical exposure. - Endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund. > “leading advocate of the efforts to protect the Florida Everglades, take bold action on climate change, and safeguard our air and water.” > — Debbie Wasserman Schultz, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Debbie_Wasserman_Schultz) **Brent Andersen:** Supports protecting local parks and green spaces Andersen focuses on community-level environmental investments by supporting local parks, recreation facilities, and neighborhood green spaces. - Protect neighborhood green spaces and community assets. - Support investments in parks and local recreational facilities. > “Protect green spaces and neighborhood assets.” > — Brent Andersen, via [Campaign site](https://brentandersenfl.com) ### Education and Parental Rights Salience: medium Andersen centers his education platform on parental rights and vocational training, while Wasserman Schultz focuses on strengthening traditional public school funding. **Debbie Wasserman Schultz:** Supports strengthening public education funding Wasserman Schultz emphasizes strengthening public schools through federal resources and community support. Her campaign is endorsed by major labor and educational unions, including the Florida Education Association. - Advocate for increased federal support to strengthen public schools. - Endorsed by the Florida Education Association. > “strengthen public schools” > — Debbie Wasserman Schultz, via [Campaign site](https://debbiewassermanschultz.com) **Brent Andersen:** Supports parental rights in education Andersen advocates defending parental rights in public education as a core constitutional principle. He also supports expanding vocational and technical track options alongside standard curricula. - Defend parental rights in education as a constitutional principle. - Expand technical and vocational education programs for students. > “I will defend limited government, the Second Amendment, secure borders, parental rights, and the American Dream for the next generation.” > — Brent Andersen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brent_Andersen) ### Community Development and Infrastructure Salience: low Andersen seeks to revitalize communities through private investment and public-private partnerships, whereas Wasserman Schultz relies on securing federal government appropriations and grants. **Debbie Wasserman Schultz:** Supports federal infrastructure grants Wasserman Schultz highlights bringing federal infrastructure grants, veterans' housing funds, and community health center investments to South Florida through her senior role on the Appropriations Committee. - Deliver federal funding for infrastructure and community projects. - Secure grants for non-profit security, veterans' housing, and local facilities. > “brought home billions of dollars for South Florida – from Everglades restoration, infrastructure improvements, community health centers, veterans’ housing and healthcare, non-profit security grants, and the well-paying jobs that come with those projects.” > — Debbie Wasserman Schultz, via [Campaign site](https://debbiewassermanschultz.com) **Brent Andersen:** Supports private investment and public-private partnerships Andersen encourages revitalizing local commercial corridors by attracting private investment to underserved communities. He advocates public-private partnerships to maximize taxpayer value and supports local hiring mandates on federally funded projects. - Encourage private investment in underserved commercial corridors. - Support public-private partnerships to protect taxpayer dollars. - Promote local hiring on federally funded projects. - Invest in community centers, recreation facilities, and neighborhood infrastructure. > “Encourage private investment in underserved communities.” > — Brent Andersen, via [Campaign site](https://brentandersenfl.com) ### Healthcare Salience: high Wasserman Schultz actively promotes expanding federal healthcare programs and medical screening access, whereas Andersen has not outlined a detailed healthcare policy platform. **Debbie Wasserman Schultz:** Supports expanding healthcare access and protections Wasserman Schultz is a strong proponent of expanding access to affordable healthcare, protecting Social Security, and expanding Medicaid. A breast cancer survivor, she authored the EARLY Act incorporated into the Affordable Care Act and co-wrote the PALS Act to ensure access to mammograms. She also supports funding community health centers across South Florida. - Authored the EARLY Act to increase breast cancer education and screening access under the ACA. - Co-wrote the PALS Act to protect young women's access to mammograms. - Advocate for expanding Medicaid and defending Medicare and Social Security. - Secure federal funding for South Florida community health centers. > “strongly committed to expanding access to quality and affordable health care” > — Debbie Wasserman Schultz, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Debbie_Wasserman_Schultz) **Brent Andersen:** No documented position in our sources ### Reproductive Rights Salience: medium Wasserman Schultz campaigns heavily on defending reproductive freedom and abortion rights, whereas Andersen does not detail an abortion stance in his documented materials. **Debbie Wasserman Schultz:** Supports defending abortion rights and reproductive freedom Wasserman Schultz actively advocates for abortion access and reproductive healthcare freedom. She supported Florida Amendment 4 (the Right to Abortion Initiative) and holds endorsements from reproductive freedom groups including the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. - Endorsed Florida Amendment 4 to establish a constitutional right to abortion. - Endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund. - Advocate for federal legislation protecting reproductive freedom. > “defend reproductive freedom” > — Debbie Wasserman Schultz, via [Campaign site](https://debbiewassermanschultz.com) **Brent Andersen:** No documented position in our sources ### Immigration and Border Security Salience: low Andersen explicitly advocates for strict border enforcement and security, while Wasserman Schultz's campaign materials in the provided source set do not detail an immigration platform. **Debbie Wasserman Schultz:** No documented position in our sources **Brent Andersen:** Supports strict border security Andersen identifies securing national borders as a crucial component of national and community safety. He pledges to support limited government policies that strictly enforce border security. - Defend secure national borders to protect public safety. - Support limited government principles in federal enforcement. > “I will defend limited government, the Second Amendment, secure borders, parental rights, and the American Dream for the next generation.” > — Brent Andersen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brent_Andersen) ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/fl-20-house-election-winner) — FL-20 House Election Winner: Democrats 97.2%, Republicans 2.8% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-FL20-26) — FL-20 House winner?: Debbie Wasserman Schultz 97.5%, Brent Andersen 2.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXFLPRIMARY-20R26) — FL-20 Republican nominee?: Brent Andersen 99.0%, Clara Spalding 2.0%, Lateresa Jones 1.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXFLPRIMARY-20D26) — FL-20 Democratic nominee?: Debbie Wasserman Schultz 99.0%, Luther Campbell 1.0%, Rudolph Moise 1.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-fl-20)