Democrats challenging Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick welcome resignation, want Special Election to replace her

Democrats who were challenging U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick are welcoming news of her resignation. But they say she still deserves criticism, and are calling out a lack of representation in Florida’s 20th Congressional District.

Democrats Luther Campbell, Dale Holness and Elijah Manley quickly reacted to news of her departure, and potentially remain in a Democratic Primary against her this year. Some want to see a Special Election called to replace her.

Manley, who attended a House Ethics trial for Cherfilus-McCormick in Washington, slammed the Congresswoman as she headed to the exits.

“Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick did not resign out of conscience. She resigned to avoid being formally expelled from Congress by her own colleagues,” Manley said.

“She still stole $5 million meant for families recovering from disaster. She still laundered it into a congressional campaign built on a lie. She still faces a 15-count federal indictment and up to 53 years in prison, and that accountability must continue. But the people of FL-20 cannot be left without a voice in Washington.”

Former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness lost to Cherfilus-McCormick in Democratic Primary during the 2021 Special Election to replace the late U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings. A House Ethics Committee adjudicatory panel last month found her guilty of 25 charges, most related to allegations she siphoned disaster relief dollars into her campaign account that year.

“It is really painful to think that if we had equal opportunity to raise funds and to campaign without that extra money. The outcome, I believe, would have certainly been different,” he said.

“Five votes with millions of dollars on the other side, and me calling every friend and every person I know to raise some money and put in some of my own money that I earned — I think I put $50,000 in that time. I raised $530,000. We thought we’re doing pretty good. And then I saw money being spent in every which way, wondering where that money came from.”

Now, he laments the disgrace upon the district.

“It appears as if the House was going to vote to expel her, so I guess she’s doing this preemptively to avoid that,” he said. “She still will have her day in court on the criminal side on the 15 indictments that she has. But what we must do is focus on the needs of the people of District 20, not be distracted by what is happening now.”

Campbell, the former frontman of rap group 2 Live Crew, announced in February he would challenge Cherfilus-McCormick this cycle. He said Cherfilus-McCormick’s scandals have prevented her from serving the district properly.

“Public service is a responsibility that demands accountability, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to the people we represent. For some time now, our district has faced unnecessary distractions that have made it harder to secure the attention and resources our residents deserve. When leadership is consumed by controversy, it takes focus away from delivering real results — and our communities feel the impact. That cannot continue,” he said.

“This moment is bigger than any one individual. It is about the people of this district and they deserve stability, focus, and leadership that delivers. I am not a career politician. I am a businessman who has spent over 40 years building, creating jobs, and fighting for my community. Bringing stability back to this district is my top priority — and that is exactly why I am running to be your Congressman. What matters now is ensuring that the people of this district are not left behind. We must refocus on bringing critical resources home — investing in economic opportunity, strengthening public safety, improving education, and rebuilding infrastructure that supports working families.”

Manley would like to see an election sooner rather than later, and told Florida Politics a Special Election should be held this Summer. He’s willing to file a lawsuit to make that happen.

“I am calling on Governor Ron DeSantis to move quickly and set a Special Election so the families of this district have representation during this critical period. Every day without a representative is another day working people in South Florida are pushed aside,” he said.

“I was raised in Sistrunk by a single mother, many days in homelessness and poverty. I have spent years organizing alongside the families of this district. Now this district deserves a special election to elect a representative who will fight for the things working families actually need: housing they can afford, a living wage, health care as a right, and a Congress that finally works for them.”

Holness said he also wants to see a vote happen but suspects it will not.

“The state usually doesn’t when they’re so close to a regular election, but if we were to be fair, would have a Special Election now and then follow up with the General Election,” he said.

“I have had the experience of serving the people of South Florida in an elected role and as a community leader, so I know what policies are critical to our people. We must grow our economy and have high paying jobs. We must invest in education.”