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Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

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Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
Official portrait, 2024
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 20th district
Assumed office
January 18, 2022
Preceded byAlcee Hastings
Personal details
Born
Sheila Cherfilus

(1979-01-25) January 25, 1979 (age 46)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)
Corlie McCormick
​
(m. 2017)​
Children2
EducationHoward University (BA)
St. Thomas University (JD)
WebsiteHouse website
Campaign website
Cherfilus-McCormick's voice
Cherfilus-McCormick on issues affecting senior citizens.
Recorded March 27, 2022

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (/ˈʃɜːrfɪləs/ SHUR-fill-əss; born January 25, 1979)[1] is an American politician and businesswoman who has been the U.S. Representative for Florida's 20th congressional district since 2022. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

She was elected in the 2022 special election to fill the seat left vacant after the death of Alcee Hastings.[2] She is the first American of Haitian descent elected to Congress from Florida.[3]

In November 2025, Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted on federal charges of stealing $5 million of FEMA money and making illegal campaign funds. She faces up to 53 years in prison, if convicted.[4][5][6]

Early life and career

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Cherfilus-McCormick was born in Brooklyn, New York City to parents from Haiti and raised in the borough of Queens. She moved to Florida at 13 to attend high school.[7] She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and government from Howard University and a Juris Doctor from the St. Thomas University School of Law.[8]

After graduating from college, Cherfilus-McCormick worked for the New York City Transit Authority. From 1999 to 2007, she worked as the vice president for operations of Trinity Health Care Services in Florida and later became CEO.[9]

U.S. congressional elections

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2018 and 2020

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Cherfilus-McCormick ran for Florida's 20th congressional district in the August 28 Democratic primary against incumbent Alcee Hastings in 2018.[10] She lost to Hastings with a 73.6%–26.4% margin.[11]

Cherfilus-McCormick ran against Hastings again in 2020. She lost the August 18 primary again with a 69.3%–30.7% vote margin.[12]

After Hastings died in April 2021, Cherfilus-McCormick ran again in the 20th district in the 2022 special election.[13][14][15] During the campaign, she loaned $3.7 million to her campaign organization.[16][17] She campaigned on progressive policies such as a Green New Deal, Medicare for All, and a $1,000-a-month universal basic income. Her campaign was supported by Brand New Congress.[18]

Cherfilus-McCormick's first official portrait as a congresswoman, 2022

After a recount, Cherfilus-McCormick won the Democratic primary by five votes over Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness in an upset. She later beat Republican Jason Mariner in the January 11, 2022, general election.[19][20] She is the only American of Haitian descent ever elected to Congress as a Democrat and only the second overall, after Republican Mia Love of Utah.[21]

After winning the special election, Holness ran against Cherfilus-McCormick for the regular primary election.[22] Cherfilus-McCormick beat Holness in the August Democratic primary by a 66%-27% margin.[23]

26-year old activist and substitute teacher Elijah Manley is running against Cherfilus-McCormick for the Democratic nomination in the 2026 election. Manley had raised more money than her.[24][25] In September 2025, Cherfilus-McCormick sued Manly for $1 million for defamation because Manley had "lied" about her record.[26][27][28][29][30] Manley had called Cherfilus-McCormick a "crook" in ads.[31]

In October 2025, at a town hall meeting, Cherfilus-McCormick and Manley got into an argument that ended with Cherfilus-McCormick telling Manley "your mama" multiple times.[32][33]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Cherfilus-McCormick is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and is on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

On December 27, 2023, the House Ethics Committee announced that it was investigating Cherfilus-McCormick over reports that she may have broken campaign finance laws.[34][35][36][37]

Cherfilus-McCormick voted to give Israel support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[38][39]

In November 2025, Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted on charges of theft $5 million in FEMA funds and making illegal campaign contributions.[40] Cherfilus-McCormick release a statement saying: "This is an unjust, baseless, sham indictment - and I am innocent."[41] She faces up to 53 years in prison.[40]

Personal life

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Cherfilus-McCormick married lawyer Corlie McCormick in 2017 and lives in Miramar, Florida. They have two children together.[8]

Cherfilus-McCormick is Protestant.[42][43]

References

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  1. ↑ "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  2. ↑ Weigel, David (January 11, 2022). "Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick wins House seat in Florida special election". The Washington Post. Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick won Tuesday's election to fill Florida's vacant 20th Congressional District, returning her party to the 222-seat majority it held after the 2020 elections.
  3. ↑ Times, The Haitian (2018-08-24). "Haitian-American Woman Looks to Unseat Hastings in Florida Primary". The Haitian Times. Retrieved 2022-11-28.
  4. ↑ "Office of Public Affairs | South Florida Congresswoman Charged with Stealing $5 Million in FEMA Funds and Making Illegal Campaign Contributions | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. 2025-11-19. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  5. ↑ "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick charged with stealing $5 million in FEMA funds, making illegal campaign contributions". NBC News. 2025-11-20. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  6. ↑ Press, The Associated (2025-11-20). "U.S. Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick indicted on charges of stealing $5M in disaster funds". NPR. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  7. ↑ Kassel, Matthew (October 20, 2021). "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick hopes the third time's a charm in FL20". Jewish Insider. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  8. 1 2 Washington, Wayne (August 6, 2020). "Lawyer makes second run at long-time incumbent Hastings". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  9. ↑ Knowles, Tiffani (November 30, 2021). "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick preps to lead in D.C." Miami Times Online. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Haitian-American Woman Looks to Unseat Hastings in Florida Primary". The Haitian Times. August 23, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  11. ↑ Almukhtar, Sarah; et al. (August 30, 2018). "Florida Primary Election Results". The New York Times. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Florida Primary Election Results 2020". NPR. May 1, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  13. ↑ Putney, Michael (October 29, 2021). "She's running for Congress, but are her ads misleading?". WPLG. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Wealthy candidate pumps staggering $2.3 million of her own money into Florida special election". www.yahoo.com. August 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  15. ↑ Fineout, Gary (November 2021). "'Powerball politics': Democrats worry DeSantis is unbeatable". Politico. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  16. ↑ Morse, Hannah (October 29, 2021). ""They Deserve to Be Safe": Candidates Call on Florida to Investigate the Health Effects of Sugar Cane Burning". ProPublica. Archived from the original on August 11, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Health CEO leads after recount in Florida congressional race". AP News. November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  18. ↑ LeBlancJune 11, Rhonda Veerasawmy; Pm, 2021 at 3:03 (June 11, 2021). "Brand New Congress endorses Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick in CD 20 Special Election". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 22, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ↑ Kihara, David (November 12, 2021). "Cherfilus-McCormick apparent winner in Florida Democratic primary for Hastings' seat". Politico PRO. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  20. ↑ Steve Contorno (November 13, 2021). "Businesswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is apparent winner of Florida primary for late Alcee Hastings' seat". CNN. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  21. ↑ Rivero, Daniel; Brutus, Wilkine; Switalski Muñnoz, Caitie (November 3, 2021). "South Florida could soon have its first Haitian or Jamaican-American Congress member. But first, a recount". WLRN-FM. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Holness launches campaign to oust Cherfilus-McCormick in congressional rematch". Sun Sentinel. March 26, 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  23. ↑ "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick wins Democratic nomination for Congress". WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm. 2022-08-23. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  24. ↑ Ogles, Jacob (2025-05-08). "Are Democrats sleeping on South Florida? And could Jared Moskowitz pay the price?". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved 2025-11-14.
  25. ↑ "Challenger raises 18 times as much campaign money as Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick". Sun Sentinel. 2025-04-18. Retrieved 2025-11-14.
  26. ↑ Stein, Ethan (2025-10-14). "US Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick sues opponent to stop negative attack ads". www.wflx.com. Retrieved 2025-11-14.
  27. ↑ "Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick accuses challenger of defamation, seeks $1 million in damages". Sun Sentinel. 2025-09-06. Retrieved 2025-11-14.
  28. ↑ Feinstein, Naomi (2025-09-08). "Florida Rep. Files $1M Defamation Suit Against Primary Challenger". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2025-11-14.
  29. ↑ Stein, Ethan (2025-10-14). "US Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick sues opponent to stop negative attack ads". WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm. Retrieved 2025-11-14.
  30. ↑ Scheckner, Jesse (2025-09-03). "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick sues Primary challenger Elijah Manley for $1M, citing defamation". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved 2025-11-14.
  31. ↑ "Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick accuses challenger of defamation, seeks $1 million in damages". Sun Sentinel. 2025-09-06. Retrieved 2025-11-14.
  32. ↑ Lyons, Douglas C. "Florida's 20th congressional district needs more than a 'Your Mama' campaign | Opinion". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2025-11-14.
  33. ↑ Scheckner, Jesse (2025-10-17). "'Your mama': Video captures heated exchange between Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, challenger she's suing". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved 2025-11-14.
  34. ↑ "House Ethics Committee opens inquiry into Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick after campaign finance allegations". WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm. 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  35. ↑ "Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick". House Committee on Ethics. 2023-12-27. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  36. ↑ Farrell, James. "House Ethics Committee To Investigate Florida Democrat Cherfilus-McCormick's Ad Spending". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  37. ↑ Vazquez, Maegan (2023-12-27). "House ethics panel launches investigation of Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  38. ↑ Demirjian, Karoun (2023-10-25). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  39. ↑ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (2023-10-25). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved 2023-10-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  40. 1 2 "US Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida indicted on charges of stealing $5M in disaster funds". AP News. 20 November 2025.
  41. ↑ "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick: Florida congresswoman charged with stealing $5m in federal disaster funds". www.bbc.com. 2025-11-20. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  42. ↑ "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-03-16.
  43. ↑ "Faith on the Hill: The religious composition of the 118th Congress". Pew Research Center. Retrieved 6 March 2023.

Other websites

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Retrieved from "https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sheila_Cherfilus-McCormick&oldid=10714477"