Luther Campbell, also known as Uncle Luke, is considering running for Congress against Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick in Florida’s 20th Congressional District. Campbell, a Miami-based rapper and former member of the group 2 Live Crew, revealed his intentions in a recent interview with The Bulwark. He expressed a desire to bring positive change to the community and take on divisive figures like Matt Gaetz and Donald Trump if elected. Campbell has a history of philanthropy and political activism, including setting up a political committee called “Don’t Stop Get It Get It” in January to potentially fund his campaign.
If Campbell decides to run, he would be challenging Cherfilus-McCormick, who was first elected in a special election in 2022 to replace the late Congressman Alcee Hastings. Cherfilus-McCormick has a left-leaning voting record and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The 20th Congressional District includes areas like Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach and is considered a safe Democratic seat, with Cherfilus-McCormick winning the November general election with over 72 percent of the vote. Any Democrat who wins the primary is likely to be the favorite in the general election.
Although Campbell is best known for his music career, he has also been involved in philanthropy and political activism. He previously wrote columns for the Miami New Times, where he criticized politicians from both parties. In 2021, Campbell considered challenging Governor Ron DeSantis in the gubernatorial race, accusing him of prioritizing his connection to Donald Trump over serving the people of Florida. He has also been critical of Vice President Kamala Harris in the past but later changed his views after speaking with her directly, describing her as a candidate who could challenge Donald Trump.
In response to Campbell’s potential candidacy, Matt Gaetz, a Republican Congressman, welcomed him to the race with a tweet saying, “Oh hey Uncle Luke!” Campbell humorously stated that if elected, he would “be as nasty as I wanna be,” referencing his controversial album “As Nasty as They Wanna Be,” which was deemed obscene by a federal court. Campbell plans to make a formal decision about running for Congress by Florida’s April 26 qualifying deadline and has indicated that he sees this as an opportunity to make a positive impact in the community and challenge divisive figures in politics.
