BROWARD COUNTY/PALM BEACH COUNTY –– Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick will represent Florida (District 20) Democratic Party at the General Election scheduled for January 11, 2022, after defeating 11 opponents in the November 2 Special Democratic Primary for U.S. House of Representatives. She is well positioned to replace the late Rep. Alcee Hastings. In a tight and crowded race, Sheila beat her opponent Dale V.C. Holness after a recount showed her winning by five votes.
“I am beyond thrilled that the people of district 20 have entrusted me with representing them on Capitol Hill,” said Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. “This has been a long but fulfilling journey getting to this point. I applaud all the candidates who ran in this race with me. I look forward to speaking with the leaders and constituents in our district to ensure the needs of our community and country are heard in Congress and forward to representing their voices at the General Election.”
Cherfilus-McCormick ran twice against Alcee Hastings who passed in April 2021. Her initiatives include pushing for adults making less than $75,000 a year to receive $1,000 a month, supporting the Green New Deal, and Medicare for all. As the first Haitian American Democrat to serve in Congress, Cherfilus-McCormick is steadfast on assisting in immigration reform which includes getting rid of Title 42, restore asylum rules, expand opportunities for migrants to apply for residency or TPS, limiting TPS to one year, and shortening the wait for residency abroad.
“In my First 100 Days in Office, I plan to make immigration reform one of my top priorities,” said Cherfilus-McCormick. “America has been sending a clear message to those seeking refuge and help from the U.S., don’t come. That is not who we are as a nation. Our immigration policy is unsustainable, inhumane, and counterproductive. So, we need to have this conversation and Congress needs to pass a sustainable long-term plan.”
Cherfilus-McCormick recognized her desire to run for Congress while serving as the CEO of Trinity Healthcare, a company that provides home-based continued health care, teaches families how to care for their loved ones, and provides vocational training in the medical field.
Before joining Trinity Health Care Services, Sheila worked as a project manager for New York City Transit Authority in the Capital Programs & Environmental Sustainability division managing over 2-million-dollar projects. In 2018, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick became the first Haitian American woman to run for Congress in Broward and Palm Beach County.
"This is an exciting time for our district,” said Cherfilus-McCormick. “It was imperative that our district has someone who understands and represents the unique complexities of our culturally diverse community. I appreciate everyone who supported me in this process and now it’s time to get to work. The race is not over but I’m ready to continue showing up for the people of D-20.”
Sheila is a proud graduate of Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory, Howard University and St. Thomas University School of Law. She and her husband, attorney Corlie McCormick, have two children.
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Contact: comms@sheilaforcongress.com