Story perspectives

Florida Rep Resigns, Faces $5M Fraud; Special Election Needed

4/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned from the U.S. House, leaving Florida’s 20th Congressional District seat vacant.
She faces federal criminal charges alleging she stole about $5 million in disaster relief funds and has pleaded not guilty.
Democratic challenger Elijah Manley accused Cherfilus-McCormick of exploiting pandemic relief funds and misleading voters after her resignation.
Governor Ron DeSantis must issue a writ for a special primary and general election to fill the vacancy.

History

Historical Context

After FBI agents seized $90,000 in cash from William Jefferson’s freezer in 2006, the former Louisiana congressman was found guilty on 11 counts and sentenced to 13 years in 2009, the longest term for a lawmaker. His case followed earlier scandals such as Rep. Duke Cunningham’s 2005 bribery conviction, illustrating a decade-long surge in congressional corruption prosecutions.

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Story summary

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned from the U.S. House, leaving Florida’s 20th Congressional District seat vacant.
She faces federal criminal charges alleging she stole about $5 million in disaster relief funds and has pleaded not guilty.
Democratic challenger Elijah Manley accused Cherfilus-McCormick of exploiting pandemic relief funds and misleading voters after her resignation.
Governor Ron DeSantis must issue a writ for a special primary and general election to fill the vacancy.

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