Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell Launches Bid for Florida’s 20th House Seat as Primary Field Takes Shape

A high-profile South Florida figure enters a competitive Democratic contest

Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell, the Miami-born entertainer, longtime civic activist and former high school football coach, has announced plans to run for the U.S. House in Florida’s 20th Congressional District in the 2026 election cycle. The district includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties and is a Democratic stronghold where the decisive contest is typically the Democratic primary.

Campaign finance records show Campbell is listed as a Democratic House candidate for Florida’s 20th District and has a principal campaign committee registered with federal election authorities.

Resignation from Miami Edison coaching post signals campaign focus

Campbell recently stepped down as head football coach at Miami Edison Senior High School, a position he held since 2018. In public statements about the move, he said remaining in the role while pursuing federal office would not be fair to his players and indicated he intended to commit the time and attention required for a congressional race.

The decision places Campbell among a growing group of Democratic contenders positioning for a primary that may draw heightened scrutiny because of developments surrounding the incumbent.

Incumbent’s legal case adds uncertainty to the race

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who has represented Florida’s 20th District since winning a special election in 2022, faces a federal criminal case tied to disaster relief funds connected to a COVID-19-era contract. Federal prosecutors have alleged that a $5 million overpayment in FEMA-funded work involving a family-linked health care company was not returned and that funds were later used in ways that benefited her and her political campaign. Cherfilus-McCormick has entered a not-guilty plea in the case.

The allegations and ongoing proceedings introduce a major variable for Democratic voters weighing continuity against alternatives in a district where the primary winner is heavily favored in the general election.

What comes next in Florida’s 20th District primary

• Candidate field: Campbell joins other Democrats who have signaled interest or taken steps toward running for the nomination.
• Campaign infrastructure: Federal filings indicate Campbell already has an established committee framework under election rules.
• Voter focus: Local concerns in the district typically include housing affordability, economic opportunity, public safety, health care access and disaster preparedness, all of which are expected to feature prominently in candidate messaging.

The contest is expected to draw attention both for its policy stakes in a heavily Democratic South Florida seat and for the unusual mix of candidates blending politics, community organizing and public profiles outside traditional elected office.

With the filing period and primary calendar approaching, the race is moving from speculation to an early organizing phase, with fundraising, endorsements and field operations likely to determine which candidates consolidate support ahead of the Democratic primary.