NRCC blasts Jared Moskowitz, Darren Soto over silence about Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has refused to vacate her seat in Congress following a federal indictment. Will she put fellow Florida Democrats at risk in 2026?

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) slammed U.S. Reps. Jared Moskowitz and Darren Soto, both Democrats in battleground seats, for staying silent about their indicted colleague.

“Democrats Jared Moskowitz and Darren Soto proved with their vote that they’re more interested in serving the radical left than Florida families,” said NRCC spokesperson Maureen O’Toole.

The silence stands in contrast to Republicans who called on U.S. Rep. Cory Mills to be censured or to stand down from his re-election bid. The New Smyrna Beach Republican had a restraining order issued forbidding contact with an ex-girlfriend and remains under an ethics investigation, but he has not been charged with any crime.

Meanwhile, Cherfilus-McCormick, a Miramar Democrat, faces up to 53 years in prison following a grand jury indictment on charges she stole $5 million in COVID-19 disaster funds and siphoned much of it to her 2021 congressional campaign.

“From Day One, I have fully cooperated with every lawful request, and I will continue to do so until this matter is resolved,” Cherfilus-McCormick said in a statement maintaining her innocence. “I am deeply grateful for the support of my district, and I remain confident that the truth will prevail. I look forward to my day in court. Until then, I will continue fighting for my constituents.“

But Democrats in the delegation have largely remained quiet about the Congresswoman.

Moskowitz and Soto did not respond to requests for comment about the latest NRCC attacks. Both are already being targeted by national House Republicans this year, and redistricting in Florida may make either more vulnerable in 2026.

The NRCC sent out email blasts to media covering both Soto’s and Moskowitz’s districts.

“Out of touch Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is facing federal charges for stealing millions in emergency aid from taxpayers to line her own pockets. If Jared Moskowitz does not call on her to resign immediately, he’s as much of a fraud as she is,” said one email to reporters covering Florida’s 23rd Congressional District.

A near-identical statement hitting Soto went out to outlets in Florida’s 9th Congressional District.

By contrast, Cherfilus-McCormick represents a safe seat in Florida’s 20th Congressional District. In November, more than 69% of voters in the district supported Democrat Kamala Harris for President over Republican Donald Trump, according to MCI Maps. No Republican even ran against Cherfilus-McCormick in the district. That means it’s unlikely the seat, at least under its current composition, will flip to Republican control.

To date, only Republicans in the congressional delegation have called for action against Cherfilus-McCormick. Rep. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican, has prepared legislation to expel Cherfilus-McCormick.

“The idea that a Florida member of Congress would steal $5 million in FEMA funds for herself is as unconscionable as it is unlawful,” Steube posted. “If Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick won’t resign, the House must take up my resolution to expel her.”