2022 Florida's 20th congressional district special election
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Florida's 20th congressional district | |||||||||||
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The 2022 Florida's 20th congressional district special election is an upcoming special election to the United States House of Representatives. The seat has been vacant since incumbent Democratic representative Alcee Hastings died on April 6, 2021, of pancreatic cancer.[2]
The special election was scheduled by Governor Ron DeSantis to be held on January 11, 2022. The primary elections were held on November 2, 2021.[1]
Democratic primary[]
Campaign[]
Following Hasting's death, a total of 11 Democratic candidates made the primary ballot to replace him.[3]
Candidates[]
Nominee[]
- Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, healthcare executive and candidate for this district in 2018 and 2020[4][5]
Eliminated in primary[]
- Elvin Dowling, author[4]
- Bobby DuBose, minority leader of the Florida House of Representatives[4]
- Omari Hardy, state representative[4]
- Dale Holness, Broward County commissioner and former mayor of Broward County[4]
- Phil Jackson, retired U.S. Navy officer[4]
- Emmanuel Morel, former federal labor investigator, candidate for Florida's 21st congressional district in 2014, and candidate for this district in 2020[4]
- Barbara Sharief, Broward County commissioner and former mayor of Broward County[4]
- Imran Uddin Siddiqui, internist[4]
- Priscilla Taylor, former state representative and candidate for mayor of West Palm Beach in 2019[4]
- Perry E. Thurston Jr., state senator[4]
- Florida House Minority Leader
Bobby DuBose
from Fort Lauderdale - State representative
Omari Hardy
from
West Palm Beach - Broward County commissioner
Dale Holness
from Plantation - Former state representative
Priscilla Taylor
from West Palm Beach - State senator
Perry Thurston Jr.
from
Lauderhill
Disqualified[]
- Natalia Allen, author[12]
- Matt Boswell, businessman[13]
- Krystal Jordan, counselor[12]
- Marlon Onias, attorney[14]
- Pradel Vilme, former Miami International Airport official[12]
Declined[]
- Mack Bernard, Palm Beach County Commissioner[15]
- Shevrin Jones, state senator[16]
- Melissa McKinlay, Palm Beach County Commissioner and former mayor of Palm Beach County (endorsed Barbara Sharief)[17]
- Bobby Powell, state senator (endorsed Bobby DuBose)[18]
- Chris Smith, former state senator[19]
Debates[]
2022 Florida's 20th congressional district Democratic primary debates | |||||||||||||||
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No. | Date & time | Host | Moderator | Link | Participants | ||||||||||
Key: P Participant A Absent N Non-invitee W Withdrawn |
|||||||||||||||
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick | Bobby DuBose | Omari Hardy | Dale Holness | Barbara Sharief | Priscilla Taylor | Perry Thurston Jr. | |||||||||
1[20] | P | A | P | P | P | A | P |
Endorsements[]
- U.S. Representatives
- Nikema Williams, United States Representative from Georgia's 5th congressional district (2021-present)[24]
- State legislators
- U.S. Representatives
- Cheri Bustos, United States Representative from IL-17 (2013-present)[32]
- Lois Frankel, United States Representative from FL-21 (2013-present)[32]
- County officials
- Lamar Fisher, Broward County commissioner[33]
- Newspapers and publications
- Organizations
- EMILY's List[36]
- 314 Action[37]
Polling[]
- Graphical summary
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick |
Bobby DuBose |
Omari Hardy |
Dale Holness |
Barbara Sharief |
Priscilla Taylor |
Perry Thurston |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Expedition Strategies (D)[A] | October 20–24, 2021 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 15% | 6% | 5% | 14% | 13% | 2% | 10% | 2%[c] | 32% |
Data for Progress (D) | July 6–7, 2021 | 314 (LV) | ± 5.0% | 6% | 5% | 10% | 17% | 14% | 6% | 8% | 5%[d] | 29% |
Public Policy Polling (D)[B] | April 2021 | 416 (LV) | ± 4.8% | – | 7% | – | 13% | 6% | – | 11% | 12%[e] | 50% |
– | – | – | 11% | 7% | – | 14% | 14%[f] | 53% | ||||
– | – | – | 15% | 11% | – | 15% | – | 59% |
Results[]
Per Florida law, because the margin separating Cherfilus-McCormick and Holness was less than 0.5%, a recount was held.[38] Ballots received by November 12 from overseas were accepted. The two candidates were two votes apart as some ballots that had been cast were still in dispute.[40] On November 12, over a week after the primary, the Broward County canvassing board declared Cherfilus-McCormick the winner after a recount failed to change the vote totals. However, Holness did not immediately concede, pointing out that the board had rejected twelve overseas military ballots. He said he would confer with a lawyer to decide whether or not to challenge the results.[41] The Palm Beach County canvassing board voted to certify the election results on the same day.[42] State officials certified the results on November 16.[43]
Cherfilus-McCormick won in Palm Beach County, receiving 30% of the vote. Meanwhile, Holness won in Broward County, where he serves as county commissioner, with 29.4% of the vote.[4][44]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick | 11,662 | 23.76 | |
Democratic | Dale Holness | 11,657 | 23.75 | |
Democratic | Barbara Sharief | 8,680 | 17.69 | |
Democratic | Perry E. Thurston Jr. | 7,282 | 14.84 | |
Democratic | Bobby DuBose | 3,458 | 7.05 | |
Democratic | Omari Hardy | 2,902 | 5.91 | |
Democratic | Priscilla Taylor | 1,677 | 3.42 | |
Democratic | Elvin Dowling | 646 | 1.32 | |
Democratic | Emmanuel Morel | 454 | 0.93 | |
Democratic | Phil Jackson | 342 | 0.69 | |
Democratic | Imran Siddiqui | 316 | 0.64 | |
Total votes | 49,074 | 100.00 |
Aftermath[]
Holness filed a lawsuit in Broward County Circuit Court on November 29, asking it to overturn the election results by alleging Cherfilus-McCormick to be "ineligible to hold office." The lawsuit asserts that Cherfilus-McCormick did not file proper financial paperwork and that her support for a $1,000 per month universal basic income amounted to bribing voters.[46][47] Holness claimed that voters had asked workers at polling places "where they collect the $1,000 from, so they expected to get $1,000."[48] Election lawyer and former state representative Juan-Carlos Planas described the lawsuit as a "Hail Mary pass" and doubted it would be successful.[46] Don James, an attorney for Holness, acknowledged that the challenge likely would not be resolved in time for the January 11 special election.[49] Mail-in ballots for the special election with Cherfilus-McCormick listed as the Democratic nominee were sent out beginning on December 3.[50]
On December 6, Cherfilus-McCormick's attorneys filed a lengthy brief in response to the lawsuit that fought back its key claims, calling it "a desperate attempt to overturn the will of the voters." In response to the allegation of bribery, the brief points out that promising monetary benefits to voters is common, comparing Cherfilus-McCormick's support for a universal basic income to "a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage," a slogan used by former president Herbert Hoover in his 1928 presidential campaign. The brief also claims that Holness's complaint was filed too late and is thus invalid, and asks the judge to dismiss it and order Holness to pay Cherfilus-McCormick's legal fees.[51]
Republican primary[]
Campaign[]
Two Republicans made the primary ballot, businessman Jason Mariner and Greg Musselwhite, who had been the Republican nominee for the seat in 2020. The two men cut different appearances on the campaign trail, with Mariner presenting himself in a clean-cut fashion while Musselwhite campaigned in a more folksy manner.[52] A substantial part of Mariner's campaign was based around his turning his life around after previously being imprisoned twice on various felony charges.[53][54] Musselwhite attacked Mariner for his prior felony convictions, claiming in a later-deleted Facebook post that voters had a choice between "the correctional officer or the inmate".[52]
Mariner ran as an "America First conservative",[55] promoting false claims that the results of the 2020 United States presidential election were illegitimate, as well as making statements in support of the rioters at the 2021 United States Capitol attack and the Confederate Flag, which he defended as a "battle flag that was later co-opted by racist groups".[56]
Candidates[]
Nominee[]
- Jason Mariner, businessman[4]
Eliminated in primary[]
- Gregory "Greg" Musselwhite, welding inspector and nominee for this district in 2020[4]
Disqualified[]
- Vic DeGrammont, realtor[12]
- Roland Florez[57]
- Lateresa Jones, perennial candidate[58]
- , former president of the Haiti Senate[12]
Endorsements[]
- U.S. Representatives
- Brian Mast, U.S. Representative from Florida's 18th congressional district[38]
- State officials
- Rick Roth, state representative[52]
- Newspapers and publications
- Sun-Sentinel[53] (Republican primary only)
Results[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jason Mariner | 3,500 | 57.8 | |
Republican | Gregory Musselwhite | 2,552 | 42.2 | |
Total votes | 6,052 | 100.00 |
Independent and third-party candidates[]
Libertarian Party[]
Declared[]
- Mike ter Maat, economist and Hallandale Beach police officer[4]
Results[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Libertarian | Mike ter Maat | |||
Total votes | 100.00 |
Independents[]
Declared[]
- Jim Flynn, real estate broker[59][38]
- Leonard Serratore, Palm Beach International Airport official[60][38]
Disqualified[]
- Robert Ornelas, perennial candidate[61]
General election[]
Predictions[]
Source | Ranking | As of |
---|---|---|
The Cook Political Report[62] | Solid D | October 15, 2021 |
Inside Elections[63] | Solid D | October 11, 2021 |
Sabato's Crystal Ball[64] | Safe D | May 20, 2021 |
Endorsements[]
Endorsements in bold were made after the primary elections.
- State officials
- Richard Stark, state representative[65]
- County officials
- Mack Bernard, Palm Beach County Commissioner[66]
- Individuals
- Marianne Williamson, author and candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in 2020[21]
- Organizations
- Labor unions
- Communications Workers of America[23]
- U.S. Representatives
- Brian Mast, U.S. Representative from Florida's 18th congressional district[38]
- State officials
- Rick Roth, state representative[52]
Results[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick | |||
Republican | Jason Mariner | |||
Libertarian | Mike ter Maat | |||
Independent | Jim Flynn | |||
Independent | Lenny Serratore | |||
Total votes | 100.00 |
By county[]
County | Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Democratic |
Jason Mariner Republican |
Others | Margin | Total votes | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
# | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | ||
Broward | |||||||||
Palm Beach | |||||||||
Total |
See also[]
- 2022 United States House of Representatives elections
- 2022 United States elections
- 117th United States Congress
- List of special elections to the United States House of Representatives
Notes[]
- ^ The images in this gallery are in the public domain or are otherwise free to use. This gallery should not be construed as a list of major or noteworthy candidates. If a candidate is not included in this gallery, it is only because there are no high-quality, copyright-free photographs of them available on the Internet.
- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - ^ Jackson with 2%; Dowling, Morel, and Siddiqui with 0%
- ^ "Another candidate" with 5%; Matt Boswell and Emmanuel Morel with 0%
- ^ Bobby Powell with 9%; Shevrin Jones with 3%
- ^ Bobby Powell with 10%; Shevrin Jones with 4%
- Partisan clients
References[]
- ^ a b Daugherty, Alex (May 4, 2021). "DeSantis schedules special election for Alcee Hastings' seat in 2022". Miami Herald. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ Nicol, Ryan (April 6, 2021). "Alcee Hastings dies at 84 after cancer battle". Florida Politics. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ^ Daugherty, Alex (August 10, 2021). "Eleven Democrats qualify to replace Alcee Hastings in Congress". McClatchy DC Bureau. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Daugherty, Alex (August 10, 2021). "Eleven Democrats qualify to replace Alcee Hastings in Congress". Miami Herald. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ Daugherty, Alex (November 12, 2021). "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is 'apparent winner' of FL-20 Democratic primary". Miami Herald.
- ^ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1514975".
- ^ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1515006".
- ^ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1509680".
- ^ https://docquery.fec.gov/pdf/488/202106019447493488/202106019447493488.pdf
- ^ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1509990".
- ^ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1513299".
- ^ a b c d e Nicol, Ryan (July 13, 2021). "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, largely self-funding CD 20 bid, adds $2.4 million in Q2". www.floridapolitics.com. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
- ^ Nicol, Ryan (April 12, 2021). "Broward Commissioner Dale Holness to join Special Election to replace Alcee Hastings". Florida Politics. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Daughtery, Alex; C. Isaiah Smalls II (April 12, 2021). "Broward Commissioner Dale Holness runs for Congress with support from Hastings' son". Miami Herald. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Man, Anthony (April 22, 2021). "Palm Beach County Commissioner Mack Bernard has 'zero interest' in running for Congress". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ Man, Anthony. "Shevrin Jones won't run for Alcee Hastings' congressional seat". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- ^ "Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay Endorses Barbara Sharief for U.S. Congress, District 20". Patriot Games, Inc. EIN PressWire. April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ a b Nicol, Ryan (August 5, 2021). "Bobby Powell opts against CD 20 bid, endorses Bobby DuBose". Florida Politics. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
- ^ Man, Anthony. "Death of congressman Alcee Hastings sets off political showdown, as candidates line up to replace him". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- ^ "WATCH: U.S. House District 20 Democratic Primary Debate". WPBF. October 24, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
- ^ a b "Marianne Williamson's Candidate Summit". Candidate Summit. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Nicol, Ryan (June 11, 2021). "Brand New Congress endorses Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick in CD 20 Special Election". Florida Politics. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
- ^ a b Nicol, Ryan (July 9, 2021). "Communications Workers of America endorses Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick in CD 20". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- ^ "Previewing the FL-20 special Democratic primary". Ballotpedia News. October 30, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Downey, Renzo (July 5, 2021). "Bobby DuBose nabs $225K, picks up congressional endorsement in CD 20". Florida Politics. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ a b c Nicol, Ryan (August 17, 2021). "Three progressive House Democrats back Omari Hardy in CD 20 contest". Florida Politics. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ Sun Sentinel Editorial Board (October 1, 2021). "Endorsement: For Democrats in U.S. House District 20, progressive Omari Hardy". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ Stephanie Akin (October 6, 2021). "Liberal-moderate rift not a factor in crowded Florida primary to succeed Alcee Hastings". Roll Call. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
- ^ "Campaign Endorsements". Dale Holness for Congress. August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ a b c Man, Anthony (April 12, 2021). "Dale Holness announces congressional candidacy — with boost from Alcee Hastings' son". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ Nicol, Ryan (August 16, 2021). "SEIU Florida endorses Dale Holness in crowded race to replace Alcee Hastings". Florida Politics. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ a b Kassel, Matthew (October 14, 2021). "A Black Muslim candidate in Florida's 20th casts herself as a strong supporter of Israel". Jewish Insider. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- ^ Ceant, Wen-kuni (May 18, 2021). "Who was Congressman Alcee Hastings, and what did his legacy teach us?". TheGrio. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board (October 15, 2021). "Editorial: Vote for Florida Democrat Barbara Sharief for Hastings seat". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- ^ The Miami Herald Editorial Board (October 21, 2022). "Experience and compromise make this candidate ready to replace Alcee Hastings in Congress: Editorial". Miami Herald. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "U.S. House Candidates".
- ^ "Dr. Barbara Sharief". 314 Action. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Daugherty, Alex (November 3, 2021). "Democratic primary to replace Alcee Hastings is too close to call". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
- ^ a b Geggis, Anne (July 13, 2021). "Perry Thurston rakes in $280K for CD 20 Special Election". Florida Politics. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ Rivero, Daniel (November 5, 2021). "Vote lead continues to change in Florida U.S. congressional primary recount". WLRN-FM. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ https://miami.cbslocal.com/2021/11/12/sheila-cherfilus-mccormick-emergency-motion-district-20-seat/
- ^ https://www.wptv.com/news/political/elections-local/judge-rejects-sheila-cherfilus-mccormick-request-to-stop-counting-3-vote-by-mail-ballots-in-democratic-congressional-race
- ^ Greenwood, Max (November 16, 2021). "Florida officials certify 5-vote victory in primary for Alcee Hastings' seat". The Hill.
- ^ "Florida Special Primary Election Results: 20th Congressional District". The New York Times. November 3, 2021.
- ^ a b "2021 Florida Special Primary Election Results: 20th Congressional District". NBC News. November 3, 2021.
- ^ a b Man, Anthony; Olmeda, Rafael (November 29, 2021). "Holness asserts Cherfilus-McCormick is 'ineligible to hold office,' asks court to overturn congressional voting results". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on November 30, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ^ Dwork, David (November 29, 2021). "Dale Holness suing to overturn results of District 20 primary won by Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick". WPLG. Archived from the original on November 30, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ^ Milberg, Glenna; Torres, Andrea (November 30, 2021). "Holness refuses to concede defeat, grabs on to legal challenges". Local 10.
- ^ https://tamaractalk.com/dale-holness-still-appealing-congressional-district-20-loss-files-for-2022-rematch-26685
- ^ https://floridapolitics.com/archives/477965-broward-elections-supervisor-voters-should-decide-elections-not-the-postal-service/[bare URL]
- ^ Man, Anthony (December 6, 2021). "Holness plans rematch after losing primary to Cherfilus-McCormick by just 5 votes". www.sun-sentinel.com. Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Manjarres, Javier (August 26, 2021). "Musselwhite Deletes Facebook Attack Against GOP Opponent Mariner". The Floridian. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
- ^ a b Sun Sentinel Editorial Board (October 1, 2021). "Endorsement: Republicans in 20th District should choose Jason Mariner". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ Bolies, Corbin (November 5, 2021). "Florida GOP Dist 20 winner, Jason Mariner, did not follow process to hold office after jail". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
- ^ "A Florida felon won a GOP congressional primary, but can he hold office?". Tampa Bay Times. November 5, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
- ^ Bolies, Colin (November 24, 2021). "This Confederate Flag-Tattoo'd Felon Is Running for Congress". The Daily Beast. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ "Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State". Florida Department of State. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ Derby, Kevin (April 28, 2021). "Omari Hardy Enters Crowded Congressional Race, Promising to Fight for Green New Deal, Racial Justice". Florida Daily. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- ^ "Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State". Florida Department of State. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ "Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State". Florida Department of State. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ "Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State". Florida Department of State. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ Dave Wasserman (October 15, 2021). "FL-20: Wealthy Newcomer Could Upend "Old Guard" in Crowded Democratic Primary". Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ^ "House Ratings". The Rothenberg Political Report. March 19, 2021. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ Kondik, Kyle (May 20, 2021). "The House: Democrats Would Have a Tough Slog Even Without Redistricting". Retrieved May 20, 2021.
- ^ "To Succeed Alcee Hastings: Vote Sheila McCormick". Florida Political Review. December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
- ^ Man, Anthony (November 20, 2021). "Here's how Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick won the primary — and her plans to be Florida's newest congresswoman". www.sun-sentinel.com. Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
- ^ "Florida College Democrats is honored to formally endorse Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick for the General Election of Florida's 20th U.S. Congressional District!". Facebook. December 4, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
- ^ "Clear choice in state HD 88 race; not in U.S. District 20". www.palmbeachpost.com. The Palm Beach Post. December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ "In race for Congress, no transparency means no endorsement". www.sun-sentinel.com. Sun-Sentinel. December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
External links[]
- Official campaign websites
- Special elections to the 117th United States Congress
- United States House of Representatives special elections
- United States House of Representatives elections in Florida
- 2022 United States House of Representatives elections
- 2022 Florida elections
- Florida special elections