Former Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick filed paperwork to seek reelection before resigning from Congress last week amid mounting ethics and criminal allegations, according to state records and campaign officials.
Cherfilus-McCormick, a Haitian-American Democrat who previously represented Florida’s 20th Congressional District, submitted her candidacy on April 17 with the Florida Division of Elections—several days before her resignation took effect. State records show the filing was also received prior to her departure from office, which came shortly before the House Ethics Committee was expected to recommend disciplinary action against her. A campaign aide confirmed she remains in the race for her former seat despite stepping down from office.
Resignation amid ethics investigation
Cherfilus-McCormick resigned last Tuesday, minutes before the House Ethics Committee was set to move forward with potential sanctions. The committee had previously found her guilty of multiple ethics violations following a lengthy investigation involving subpoenas, witness interviews, and tens of thousands of documents.
According to reports, she was accused of misusing approximately $5 million in federal disaster relief funds allegedly tied to her 2021 congressional campaign, along with additional campaign finance and disclosure violations.
The committee’s findings included allegations of false financial reporting, misuse of official funds, and lack of candor. Cherfilus-McCormick has denied wrongdoing, saying she stepped down to focus on defending herself.
“This was not a fair process,” she said in a statement, arguing that her due process rights were not respected.
In addition to the congressional probe, Cherfilus-McCormick is also facing federal criminal charges. She was indicted in November by a Miami grand jury over allegations connected to the same disaster relief funds, reportedly involving money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
A judge recently granted a trial delay, with proceedings now scheduled for February 2027.
Political uncertainty in South Florida
Her resignation has left Florida’s 20th District seat vacant, and it remains unclear when Governor Ron DeSantis will schedule a special election to fill the position.
Despite the legal and political uncertainty, Cherfilus-McCormick’s name remains on the ballot as a declared Democratic candidate. She is one of several contenders in the upcoming primary, which now includes figures such as Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell, Mark Douglas, Maisha Williams, Dale Holness, and Elijah Manley.
Records show Cherfilus-McCormick maintained active federal campaign accounts even after leaving office, including a statement of candidacy filed with the Federal Election Commission in late 2024.
Her continued campaign sets up a rare and controversial political situation in which a former member of Congress is seeking reelection while simultaneously facing ethics findings and pending federal prosecution.
As the legal and electoral processes move forward, the future of the district’s representation remains uncertain, with both state officials and voters awaiting further developments.
