Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

**Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick** ( ; born January 25, 1979) 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. She is the first American of Haitian descent elected to Congress from Florida.

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.

## Early life and career

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. 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.

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.

### 2018 and 2020

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

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

### 2022

After Hastings died in April 2021, Cherfilus-McCormick ran again in the 20th district in the 2022 special election. During the campaign, she loaned $3.7 million to her campaign organization. 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.

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. 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.

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

### 2026

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. In September 2025, Cherfilus-McCormick sued Manly for $1 million for defamation because Manley had "lied" about her record. Manley had called Cherfilus-McCormick a "crook" in ads.

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.

## U.S. House of Representatives

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.

Cherfilus-McCormick voted to give Israel support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

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

## Personal life

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

Cherfilus-McCormick is Protestant.

## Other websites

- Representative Cherfilus-McCormick official U.S. House website
- Campaign website

## Infobox (officeholder)

- **name**: Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
- **image**: Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Official Portrait (cropped2).jpg
- **caption**: Official portrait, 2024
- **state**: Florida
- **term start**: January 18, 2022
- **predecessor**: Alcee Hastings
- **birth name**: Sheila Cherfilus
- **birth place**: New York City, New York (state), New York, U.S.
- **party**: Democratic Party (United States), Democratic
- **children**: 2
- **education**: Howard University (Bachelor of Arts, BA)
St. Thomas University (Florida), St. Thomas University (Juris Doctor, JD)
- **website**: