America’s First Female Haitian Democrat Elected to Congress

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick’s Rise to Office

Cherfilus-McCormick has a made a name for herself as the first female Haitian Democrat elected to Congress. She represents Florida’s 20th Congressional District. In a very close special election, Cherfilus-McCormick filled the seat left open by Alcee Hasting’s when he passed in April 2021. The race for the seat attracted many local politicians, including two Broward County Commissioners, Dale Holness and Barbara Sharief who relinquished their county seat to run for office.

On the campaign trail, Cherifuls-McCormick signs could be seen throughout Pompano Beach with promise of $1000 for families with an income of less than $75,000 as part of her People’s Prosperity Plan. A promise that had many pundits skeptical as to how it would come to fruition.

She also vowed to work on health care reform, job creation, and increasing the minimum wage to $20 a hour. As a child of immigrants, she also supports immigration reform and desires clear “Pathway to Citizenship” and more ways for immigrants to become residents.

In the election, she won by five votes over Holness. Notably, she used $2.3 million of her own money to fund her campaign. She is a lawyer and the owner of a healthcare company.

In Congress, she serves on the Education and Labor Committee and the Committee on Veterans Affairs.

Bio:
Her birthday is January, 25th 1979. She was born in Brooklyn, New York to Haitian immigrant parents. When she was 13, her family moved to Florida. She studied at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory, Howard University, and St. Thomas University School of Law.

She was named Miramar’s Progressive Woman of the Year in 2019, and Community Voice of the Year in 2020.

She doesn’t refer to herself as a politician, but a mother, wife, and advocate for social justice. You can follow her on her website and various social media platforms.

https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/

https://www.sheilafordistrict20.com/

https://twitter.com/Sheila4Congress

https://www.instagram.com/sheilaforcongress/

https://www.facebook.com/SheilaForCongress