WASHNIGTON D.C. – Newly elected Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was sworn into office on Tuesday night.
It happened during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.
“Our district has been without representation for over nine months, so right now we have to get in and meet the needs of every constituent and reach out to them and ensure that their voices are being heard and their needs are being met,” Cherfilus-McCormick said.
In an effort to help her district, Cherfilus-McCormick campaigned on the Prosperity Plan, a promise of a $1,000 check every month from Washinigton for people who earn less than $75,000 a year.
She won last week’s special election for Florida District 20, which covers parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Cherfilus-McCormick defeated Republican Jason Mariner in the race, claiming nearly 80 percent of all votes in the heavily Democratic district.
The election was for the seat vacated by the late Alcee Hastings, who passed away following a battle with pancreatic cancer last year.
At Tuesday’s ceremony, Cherfilus-McCormick’s colleagues welcomed a fellow South Floridian to Washington.
“These are different, challenging times, but the Florida delegation tends to coalesce on issues that are important to Florida,” said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart.