Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is an American politician and businesswoman who served as a U.S. Representative for Florida's 20th congressional district from 2022 until her resignation in 2026. A member of the Democratic Party, she was elected to complete the unexpired term of the late Representative Alcee Hastings and subsequently won a full term in the November 2022 general election. Cherfilus-McCormick's tenure was marked by her alignment with progressive policies and her involvement in various congressional committees. However, her time in office was overshadowed by legal challenges, including an indictment related to campaign finance violations, which ultimately led to her resignation.

Early life and career

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was born on January 25, 1979, in Brooklyn, New York, to Haitian immigrant parents. Her early years were spent in Brooklyn and Queens, where she was raised before relocating to Hollywood, Florida, at the age of 13. This move was pivotal as it allowed her to continue her education in Florida, where she attended high school. Cherfilus-McCormick pursued higher education at Howard University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and government. She furthered her academic credentials by obtaining a Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law.

Following her graduation, Cherfilus-McCormick began her professional career as a project manager for the New York City Transit Authority. She transitioned to the healthcare sector, serving as the vice president for operations at Trinity Health Care Services, a family home health care company co-founded by her stepfather, Gabriel Smith. Over the years, she advanced within the company, eventually becoming its chief executive officer.

House tenure

Cherfilus-McCormick's political journey began in earnest when she ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida's 20th congressional district during the 2018 Democratic primary. In that election, she faced off against incumbent Alcee Hastings but was unsuccessful, receiving 26.4% of the vote compared to Hastings' 73.6%. She made another attempt in 2020, again challenging Hastings, citing concerns over Hastings' ethical issues and health problems. However, she was defeated again, garnering 30.7% of the vote.

The political landscape shifted dramatically following the death of Alcee Hastings on April 6, 2021. In the wake of his passing, Cherfilus-McCormick entered the race for the special election to fill his seat. Her campaign was notable for her significant personal investment, as she loaned $3.7 million to her campaign organization. She ran on a platform that included progressive initiatives such as a Green New Deal, Medicare for All, and a universal basic income of $1,000 per month. Her campaign received backing from Brand New Congress, a progressive organization known for supporting candidates like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib.

In a closely contested Democratic primary, Cherfilus-McCormick emerged victorious by a narrow margin of five votes over Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness. She subsequently won the special election held on January 11, 2022, securing 79% of the popular vote against Republican candidate Jason Mariner. This victory made her the second Haitian-American to be elected to Congress and the first Haitian-American Democrat to achieve this milestone.

Following her special election win, Cherfilus-McCormick faced Holness again in the regular election later that year. She won the Democratic primary decisively, receiving 66% of the vote, and went on to defeat Republican nominee Drew Montez-Clark in the November election, garnering 72% of the vote. In 2024, she was re-elected without opposition.

As her third term approached, Cherfilus-McCormick faced challenges from within her party. Activist Elijah Manley announced plans to challenge her in the 2026 Democratic primary. In response to his campaign, she filed a defamation lawsuit against him, alleging that he had made false claims about her record. The lawsuit was dismissed in January 2026. Tensions escalated between the two during a town hall meeting in October 2025, where they engaged in a heated exchange.

On April 21, 2026, Cherfilus-McCormick resigned from Congress just minutes before a scheduled hearing regarding her potential expulsion from the House.

Legislative focus and committees

During her time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Cherfilus-McCormick was known for her alignment with President Joe Biden's policies, voting in accordance with his stated positions 100% of the time during the 117th Congress. She was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and served on the Committee on Foreign Affairs as well as the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Within these committees, she participated in various subcommittees, including the Subcommittee on Africa and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability. She also held the position of Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization.

Cherfilus-McCormick's legislative focus included issues pertinent to her constituents and broader national concerns, such as healthcare reform, veterans' affairs, and foreign policy. Her membership in the Congressional Progressive Caucus indicated her commitment to progressive values, while her involvement in the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus and the Congressional Ukraine Caucus reflected her engagement with diverse social issues and international matters.

Despite her active participation in legislative processes, her tenure was marred by legal challenges. In December 2023, the House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into allegations of campaign finance violations and improper hiring practices. In January 2025, the state of Florida filed a lawsuit against her business for accepting overpayments for services not rendered. These legal troubles culminated in her resignation from Congress in April 2026, marking a significant and controversial end to her congressional career.