Former Candidate Arrested Over Alleged Social Media Threats in Florida Senate Race
Elijah Manley, a former Democratic congressional candidate, was arrested after allegedly posting Facebook messages threatening Democrats who would not support Florida Senate candidate Angie Nixon. He was charged with two felony counts; he told investigators the posts were political argument, not genuine threats. A judge set $40,000 bond and barred him from weapons, contact with the alleged victims, and social media, while Broward prosecutors asked the governor to reassign the case.
Manley, 27, is a Fort Lauderdale activist and Democratic organizer who calls himself a socialist. In August’s Democratic primary for Florida’s 20th Congressional District, he finished third with 13.9% in a field that included Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and three other contenders. Rep. Ro Khanna endorsed him in June; his campaign website has since gone dark.
He faces two felony counts over written or electronic threats to kill or injure. After Friday’s arrest, he was released Saturday on $40,000 bond, with a judge barring him from weapons, contact with the two alleged victims, and social media use. Broward prosecutors asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to assign another state attorney because the alleged victims had helped with office charity drives.
The case could intensify scrutiny of how online threats tied to political disputes are handled, affecting candidates, activists, and voters who use social media. It may also test public confidence in prosecutorial independence after local prosecutors sought reassignment. For the two people named in the posts, court restrictions and the case’s outcome may shape their sense of safety, while the result could influence how similar online disputes are treated.