Luther Campbell, known as Uncle Luke, announces a primary bid for Congress in Florida’s 20th District, challenging incumbent Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.

Campbell frames his run as a response to unmet local needs and inadequate representation, signaling a broader call for change in the district.

The announcement follows his appearance on This Week in South Florida, where he stressed a self-imposed deadline to decide on the bid.

Cherfilus-McCormick is under a 15-count federal indictment over alleged misuse of disaster funds, a backdrop Campbell uses to argue for stronger leadership on housing, jobs, and immigration.

Campbell’s public profile emphasizes decades of community involvement, media presence, and mentoring in underserved neighborhoods as assets for fundraising and visibility.

Campbell highlights local economic distress—automation-related job losses in Glades counties—and concerns over federal policy shifts, including the end of TPS for Haitian nationals.

Other local issues cited include potential prison closures, homelessness, clean drinking water, and ICE activity, all shaping his campaign message in District 20.

The campaign portrays Campbell as a rapper-turned-community leader whose history of supporting underserved communities informs his bid for federal office.

Campbell previously ran for Miami-Dade County mayor in 2011, finishing fourth with about 11% of the vote, and had considered a 2024 bid before opting to wait for broader community outreach.

The race features a crowded field in District 20, with multiple Democrats and Republicans, including Dr. Rudolph Moise, as redistricting and political dynamics evolve.

While Cherfilus-McCormick defends her record amid investigations, Campbell’s campaign emphasizes dialing up visibility and broad outreach rather than dwelling on the indictment.

District 20’s boundaries are at the center of ongoing redistricting debates in Florida, potentially reshaping the race ahead of the 2026 elections.