WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was sworn in as U.S. Representative for Florida District 20 on Jan. 18 on Capitol Hill.
“It’s official, official, let’s get to work,” Cherfilus-McCormick tweeted. “ This is only the beginning. #yourcongresswoman.”
The Haitian-American legislator replaces Alcee Hastings, who died in office in April 2021. She defeated Dale Holness in the primary election by just five votes before trouncing Republican Jason Mariner by a 59 percent margin in the general election on Jan. 12.
Cherfilus-McCormick is the second Haitian-American to have been elected to Congress, after former representative Mia Love of Utah. During her grueling primary campaign with nearly 20 candidates, she vowed to “put Haiti first” and to give $1,000 a month to anyone over 18 who makes less than $75,000 a year.
Scores of Haitian-Americans took to social media to congratulate Cherfilus-McCormick on becoming a congresswoman.
“So happy and proud of you,” Juliana Daniella commented on an Instagram post in which Cherfilus-McCormick posted a video of the swear-in. “Been shouting and praying for you all the way in NY.”
Congratulations to Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick! I am proud of her remarkable financial and professional accomplishments. I am not aware of any Black candidates municipal, state, or national who had put close to $6 million of their own money to finance their campaigns.
Though she just got sworn in, US Rep. Sheila will have to fight hard for her seat in the August primaries. It’s going to be highly competitive tight race. Notice that US Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick won by 5 votes after meticulous vote counts. Her strategists have to make sure that the upcoming redistricting or final remapping of Florida’s 20th Congressional by the spring won’t adversely affect those who will vote for her.
Best of luck!
Nekita Lamour