Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick defeats Jason Mariner in race for District 20 Congressional seat

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is heading to Congress.

The South Florida Democrat defeated Republican Jason Mariner in a race for the Florida District 20 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“I am so excited and humbled to be elected as the next Congresswoman for District 20,” Cherfilus-McCormick said. “As your next Congresswoman, I promise, I vow to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to live in this great country.”

Cherfilus-McCormick and supporters gathered at Smitty’s Wings in the historic Sistrunk community in Fort Lauderdale for her watch party.

It’s there that she spoke about ensuring equal opportunities for residents in the congressional district.

“I commit myself and promise and fight to ensure that everyone can live in this society and move ourselves forward,” Cherfilus-McCormick said.

Ten miles north at Galuppi’s in Pompano Beach, Mariner, whose platform was pushing for school choice and public safety, spoke to supporters after coming up short with only 20 percent of the vote.

“People are supposed to have a fair shake at choosing who governs them and they didn’t get that,” Mariner said.

Cherfilus-McCormick will be the first Haitian American Democrat in Congress.

She will now take the seat previously held by the late Alcee Hastings, who died of pancreatic cancer last year.

“There is no way I could ever fill his shoes, but I promise you that I wear my pumps happily and I fight day and night with my heels, and I’ll ensure that our district is heard,” she said.

CLICK HERE to view election results.

Cherfilus-McCormick won a crowded Democratic primary, claiming victory by just five votes.

Democrats outnumber Republicans in the district by a 5 to 1 margin.

Part of her platform included promising voters monthly, thousand-dollar stimulus checks.

The state now will have to certify the vote. 

Cherfilus-McCormick will then be sworn in, which is expected to happen Thursday.

Candidate

Votes

%

Jason Mariner (R)

00%

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D)

00%

Mike ter Maat (L)

00%

Leonard Serratore

00%

Jim Flynn

00%

About the Authors
Roy Ramos headshot

Roy Ramos joined the Local 10 News team in 2018. Roy is a South Florida native who grew up in Florida City. He attended Christopher Columbus High School, Homestead Senior High School and graduated from St. Thomas University.

David Dwork headshot

David Dwork joined the WPLG Local 10 News team in August 2019. Born and raised in Miami-Dade County, David has covered South Florida sports since 2007.

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