Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick resigns but stays on ballot for reelection
House ethics investigations escalate as Democratic representative resigns, GOP representative faces expulsion vote
Florida Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned just before an expulsion hearing, facing ethics investigations. This news sparks controversy that will scrutinize other members of Congress, including Republican Rep. Cory Mills and Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar. Mills faces a possible expulsion vote over allegations of domestic violence, while Omar’s financial disclosures and allegations of marriage fraud are under investigation.
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Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is still registered for reelection, although she resigned from office amid congressional and federal investigations for allegedly mishandling disaster relief funding for personal gain.
Cherfilus-McCormick on 17 April notification sent He announced his candidacy for Florida Secretary of State as a Democrat — just a week before he officially leaves office.
He resigned on Tuesday.
The application raises questions about whether Cherfilus-McCormick still believes he can hold political office even though he now faces intense scrutiny.
NANCY MACE SEEKS AVALANCHE RESIGN FROM CALLING ON CONGRESS TO RELEASE SEXUAL HARASSMENT RECORDS
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., speaks after being sworn in during a ceremony at the Broward County Commission chambers on January 27, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service)
His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Cherfilus-McCormick’s decision to resign her position comes just before the House Ethics Committee is scheduled to recommend punishment for misusing disaster relief funds that she allegedly funneled into campaign coffers through several companies. The committee found he committed 18 campaign finance violations, five counts of false financial disclosure, three counts of misuse of official funds and one count of dishonesty.
In light of these allegations, Cherfilus-McCormick maintained his innocence but announced that he would defend himself outside of his term of office.
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., rejected calls to resign despite an impending expulsion vote. He is also running for re-election. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service)
“This was not a fair process. The Ethics Committee denied my new attorney’s request for reasonable time to prepare my defense. I cannot stand by and allow my due process rights to be trampled and my good name tarnished,” Cherfilus-McCormick said. said Cherfilus-McCormick. in a press release.
“Instead of playing these political games, I am choosing to step away so that I can devote my time to fighting for my neighbors in Florida’s 20th district. I hereby resign from the 119th Congress, effective immediately.”
While Cherfilus-McCormick’s departure from Congress halted the Ethics Committee’s authority over her, she also faces federal charges.
FEDERAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST DEM CONGRESSWOMEN AS A RESULT OF CONFRONTATION AT ICE FACILITY
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., leaves the U.S. Capitol after the final votes of the week on March 27, 2025. He faces deportation after a House panel found him guilty of more than two dozen ethics violations. (CQ-Roll Call via Tom Williams/Getty Images)
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He was accused by a Miami major jury He allegedly stole $5 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in November of last year.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has not yet announced a special election date to fill the vacant seat.
