Florida Dem filed for re-election days before resignation as House Ethics Committee ramped up pressure

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Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is still registered to run for re-election despite having resigned from office amid congressional and federal probes for allegedly mishandlingdisaster relieffunding for personal gain.

On April 17, Cherfilus-McCormicksubmitted a noticeof her candidacy to the Florida Department of State as a Democrat just a week before officially stepping down from office.

Sheresigned on Tuesday.

The filing raises questions about whether Cherfilus-McCormick believes she can still pursue political office despite facing intense scrutiny at the moment.

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Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick speaking during swearing-in ceremony in Broward County Commission chambers

Former Rep.Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., speaks after being sworn in during a ceremony in the Broward County Commission chambers in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Jan.27, 2025.(Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service)

Her office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Cherfilus-McCormick’s decision to resign from office came right before theHouse Ethics Committee was scheduledto recommend she be punished for misusing disaster relief funding that she allegedly funneled through several companies into her campaign coffers. 

The committee found that she had committed 18 campaign finance violations, five counts of false financial disclosures, three counts of misusing official funds and one count of lack of candor.

Cherfilus-McCormick maintained her innocence butannounced that she would defendherself outside of her time in office.

Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick taking oath of office at Broward County Governmental Center

Rep.Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla.(Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service)

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“This was not a fair process.The Ethics Committee refused my new attorney’s reasonable request for time to prepare my defense.I simply cannot stand by and allow my due process rights to be trampled on, and my good name to be tarnished,” Cherfilus-McCormick saidin a press release.

“Rather than play these political games, I choose 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.”

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While Cherfilus-McCormick’sdeparture from Congress halted theEthics Committee’s authority over her, she also faces federal charges.

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Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick wearing a green suit leaving the U.S. Capitol

Rep.Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., leaves the U.S.Capitol after the last votes of the week on March 27, 2025.(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images)

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She wasindicted by a Miami grandjuryin November for allegedly stealing $5 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Florida Gov.Ron DeSantishas not yet announced a date for a special election to fill her vacant seat.

He was previously a reporter with World Magazine.

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