2026 Florida's 20th congressional district special election
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The 2026 Florida's 20th congressional district special election may be held sometime in 2026 to fill the vacant seat in Florida's 20th congressional district left by Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned minutes before the House Ethics Committee was to advance a motion to expel her for financial irregularities involving her campaign financing.[1] An investigation conducted by the House Ethics Committee found Cherfilus-McCormick guilty of 25 out of 27 charges.[2][3] The winner will serve in the United States House of Representatives for the remainder of the 119th United States Congress.
Incumbent Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick announced her resignation on April 21.[4] Cherfilus-McCormick had been the subject of an investigation by the House Ethics Committee since November 2023 relating to allegations that she may have violated campaign finance laws in relation to her 2022 special election campaign and 2022 re-election campaign.[5][6] That probe began after a referral from the Office of Congressional Ethics, which claimed there was "substantial reason to believe" that Cherfilus-McCormick made payments to a state political action committee in connection with her campaign for U.S. Congress and did not report her payments as contributions to her congressional campaign.[7][8]
In June 2024, the Committee announced their investigation had expanded to include allegations that Cherfilus-McCormick had acted improperly in connection with community project funding, misused official funds for campaign purposes, and violated campaign finance laws in connection to her 2024 re-election campaign.[9][10]
In November 2025, Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted on charges including theft of $5 million in FEMA funds, money laundering, making illegal campaign contributions, and conspiring to file a false federal tax return.[1]
The House Ethics Committee held a hearing on Cherfilus-McCormick's conduct on March 26, 2026, and the following day found Cherfilus-McCormick guilty on 25 of 27 charges.[11][12] The committee's ruling paved the way for a vote by the full House to expel Cherfilus-McCormick, which was supported by representatives of both parties.[12][13][14][15]
On April 21, 2026, Cherfilus-McCormick resigned from Congress minutes before a hearing on whether she should be expelled.[16][17]
On April 24, 2026, Cherfilus-McCormick announced she would still run for her seat in the November election but she has not stated anything about running in the Special Election. Leaving the door open for the possibility if one is held.[18]
Democratic primary
Potential
- Luther Campbell, rapper and candidate for mayor of Miami-Dade County in 2011[19]
- Dale Holness, former mayor of Broward County and candidate for this district in the 2022 special and regular elections[20]
- Elijah Manley, substitute teacher and activist, and candidate for this district in the 2026 regular election[21]
- Rudy Moise, doctor and candidate for Florida's 17th congressional district in 2010 and Florida's 24th congressional district in 2012[22]
- Edwin Ferguson, Palm Beach County school board member[23]
- Mark Douglas, attorney[24]
- Maisha Williams[25]
- Keith James, mayor of West Palm Beach (2019–present)[23]
- Melissa McKinley, former Palm Beach County commissioner from the 6th district (2014–2022)[23]
- Bobby Powell, Palm Beach County commissioner from the 7th district (2024–present)[23]
- Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, former U.S. Representative (2022–2026)[26][27]
