The2022 Florida's 20th congressional district special election was a special election to theUnited States House of Representatives . The seat had been vacant since incumbentDemocratic representativeAlcee Hastings died on April 6, 2021, ofpancreatic cancer .[ 2]
The special election was scheduled byGovernor Ron DeSantis to be held on January 11, 2022. The primary elections were held on November 2, 2021.[ 1] [ 3]
Following Hastings' death, 11 Democratic candidates made the primary ballot to replace him.[ 4]
Eliminated in primary [ edit ] Elvin Dowling, author[ 5] Bobby DuBose ,minority leader of theFlorida House of Representatives [ 5] Omari Hardy ,state representative [ 5] Dale Holness,Broward County commissioner and former mayor ofBroward County [ 5] Phil Jackson, retiredU.S. Navy officer[ 5] Emmanuel Morel, former federal labor investigator, candidate forFlorida's 21st congressional district in2014 , and candidate for this district in2020 [ 5] Barbara Sharief ,Broward County commissioner and former mayor of Broward County[ 5] Imran Uddin Siddiqui, internist[ 5] Priscilla Taylor , formerstate representative and candidate for mayor ofWest Palm Beach in 2019[ 5] Perry E. Thurston Jr. ,state senator [ 5] A two-part debate was held on September 15, 2021.[ 15] [ 16]
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
Individuals
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Bobby DuBose
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Omari Hardy
State legislators
Newspapers and publications
Organizations
Dale Holness
State legislators
County officials
Local officials
Labor unions
Barbara Sharief
U.S. representatives
County officials
Newspapers and publications
Organizations
Perry E. Thurston Jr.
State legislators
County officials
Graphical summary
Per Florida law, because the margin separating Cherfilus-McCormick and Holness was less than 0.5%, arecount was held.[ 36] [ 41] Broward County canvassing board declared Cherfilus-McCormick the winner after a recount failed to change the vote totals. However, Holness did not immediatelyconcede , pointing out that the board had rejected twelveoverseas military ballots . He said he would confer with a lawyer to decide whether or not to challenge the results.[ 42] Palm Beach County canvassing board voted to certify the election results on the same day.[ 43] [ 44]
Cherfilus-McCormick won inPalm Beach County , receiving 30% of the vote. Meanwhile, Holness won inBroward County , where he serves as county commissioner, with 29% of the vote.[ 5] [ 45]
Results by county Cherfilus-McCormick—30-40%
Holness—20%-30%
Holness filed a lawsuit in Broward County Circuit Court on November 29 asking it to overturn the election results, 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 auniversal basic income of $1,000 per month amounted to bribing voters.[ 47] [ 48] polling places "where they collect the $1,000 from, so they expected to get $1,000."[ 49] Juan-Carlos Planas described the lawsuit as a "Hail Mary pass " and doubted it would be successful.[ 47] [ 50] Mail-in ballots for the special election with Cherfilus-McCormick listed as the Democratic nominee were sent out beginning on December 3.[ 51]
On December 6, Cherfilus-McCormick's attorneys filed a lengthybrief in response to the lawsuit that disputed its 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 presidentHerbert Hoover in his1928 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.[ 52] [ 53]
Two Republicans made the primary ballot, businessman Jason Mariner and Greg Musselwhite, who had been the Republican nominee for the seat in2020 . 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.[ 54] [ 55] [ 56] Facebook post that voters had a choice between "the correctional officer or the inmate".[ 54]
Mariner ran as an "America First conservative",[ 57] 2020 presidential election were illegitimate, as well as making statements in support of the rioters at the2021 U.S. Capitol attack and theConfederate Flag , which he defended as a "battle flag that was later co-opted by racist groups".[ 58]
Jason Mariner, businessman[ 5] Eliminated in primary [ edit ] Gregory "Greg" Musselwhite,welding inspector and nominee for this district in2020 [ 5] Jason Mariner
U.S. representatives
State officials
Newspapers and publications
Individuals
Results by county Mariner—50–60%
Republican primary results[ 46] Party Candidate Votes % Republican Jason Mariner 3,500 57.8% Republican Gregory Musselwhite 2,552 42.2% Total votes 6,052 100.0%
Independent and third-party candidates [ edit ] Endorsements inbold were made after the primary elections.
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D)
State officials
County officials
Individuals
Organizations
Labor unions
Jason Mariner (R)
U.S. representatives
State officials
Individuals
Declined to endorse
Newspapers and publications
As expected by election prognosticators, Cherfilus-McCormick won the election by a landslide, winning 79% of the popular vote.[ 77] [ 77]
By county
County Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Democratic Jason MarinerRepublican Mike ter Maat Libertarian Various candidates Margin Total # % # % # % # % # % Broward (part) 32,867 82.74 6,228 15.68 252 0.63 375 0.94 26,639 67.06 39,722 Palm Beach (part) 11,840 70.08 4,738 28.04 143 0.85 174 1.03 7,102 42.04 16,895 Totals 44,707 78.96 10,966 19.37 395 0.70 549 0.97 33,741 59.59 56,617
^ Key: ^ 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
^ This poll was commissioned by Pro-Israel America, which did not endorse any candidate. ^ This poll was commissioned by a Democratic consultant expected to work in the race. ^a b Daugherty, Alex (May 4, 2021)."DeSantis schedules special election for Alcee Hastings' seat in 2022" .Miami Herald . RetrievedMay 4, 2021 . ^ Nicol, Ryan (April 6, 2021)."Alcee Hastings dies at 84 after cancer battle" .Florida Politics . RetrievedApril 6, 2021 . ^ "DeSantis sets election for Hastings' seat in 2022, leaving it open for 9 months" .^ Daugherty, Alex (August 10, 2021)."Eleven Democrats qualify to replace Alcee Hastings in Congress" .McClatchy DC Bureau . RetrievedDecember 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 . RetrievedAugust 10, 2021 . ^ Daugherty, Alex (November 12, 2021)."Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is 'apparent winner' of FL-20 Democratic primary" .Miami Herald ^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" .Florida Politics . RetrievedJuly 26, 2021 . ^ Nicol, Ryan (April 12, 2021)."Broward Commissioner Dale Holness to join Special Election to replace Alcee Hastings" .Florida Politics . RetrievedApril 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 . RetrievedApril 13, 2021 . ^ Man, Anthony (April 22, 2021)."Palm Beach County Commissioner Mack Bernard has 'zero interest' in running for Congress" .Sun Sentinel . RetrievedApril 22, 2021 . ^ Man, Anthony (April 15, 2021)."Shevrin Jones won't run for Alcee Hastings' congressional seat" .Sun Sentinel . RetrievedApril 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. RetrievedApril 13, 2021 .^a b Nicol, Ryan (August 5, 2021)."Bobby Powell opts against CD 20 bid, endorses Bobby DuBose" .Florida Politics . RetrievedAugust 7, 2021 . ^ Man, Anthony (April 11, 2021)."Death of congressman Alcee Hastings sets off political showdown, as candidates line up to replace him" .Sun Sentinel . RetrievedApril 26, 2021 . ^ Nicol, Ryan (September 16, 2021)."CD 20 candidates talk vaccine mandates, court-packing at two-part virtual candidate forum" . Florida Politics. RetrievedApril 26, 2024 . ^ Nicol, Ryan (September 16, 2021)."Candidates voice broad support for Joe Biden's agenda in part two of CD 20 forum" . Florida Politics. RetrievedApril 26, 2024 . ^ "WATCH: U.S. House District 20 Democratic Primary Debate" .WPBF . October 24, 2021. RetrievedDecember 10, 2021 .^ Video ^a b "Marianne Williamson's Candidate Summit" .Candidate Summit . RetrievedJuly 8, 2021 .^a b Nicol, Ryan (June 11, 2021)."Brand New Congress endorses Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick in CD 20 Special Election" .Florida Politics . RetrievedJune 20, 2021 . ^a b Nicol, Ryan (July 9, 2021)."Communications Workers of America endorses Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick in CD 20" .Florida Politics . RetrievedJuly 11, 2021 . ^ "Previewing the FL-20 special Democratic primary" .Ballotpedia News . RetrievedOctober 31, 2021 .^a b c d Downey, Renzo (July 5, 2021)."Bobby DuBose nabs $225K, picks up congressional endorsement in CD 20" .Florida Politics . RetrievedOctober 21, 2021 . ^a b c Nicol, Ryan (August 17, 2021)."Three progressive House Democrats back Omari Hardy in CD 20 contest" .Florida Politics . RetrievedOctober 1, 2021 . ^ Sun Sentinel Editorial Board (October 1, 2021)."Endorsement: For Democrats in U.S. House District 20, progressive Omari Hardy" .Sun-Sentinel . RetrievedOctober 1, 2021 . ^ Stephanie Akin (October 6, 2021)."Liberal-moderate rift not a factor in crowded Florida primary to succeed Alcee Hastings" .Roll Call . RetrievedOctober 10, 2021 . ^ "Campaign Endorsements" .Dale Holness for Congress . August 17, 2021. Archived fromthe original on August 22, 2022. RetrievedAugust 17, 2021 .^a b c Man, Anthony (April 12, 2021)."Dale Holness announces congressional candidacy — with boost from Alcee Hastings' son" .Sun-Sentinel . RetrievedAugust 10, 2021 . ^ Nicol, Ryan (August 16, 2021)."SEIU Florida endorses Dale Holness in crowded race to replace Alcee Hastings" .Florida Politics . RetrievedAugust 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 . RetrievedOctober 17, 2021 . ^ Ceant, Wen-kuni (May 18, 2021)."Who was Congressman Alcee Hastings, and what did his legacy teach us?" .TheGrio . RetrievedMay 18, 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 . RetrievedOctober 21, 2021 .^ The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board (October 15, 2021)."Editorial: Vote for Florida Democrat Barbara Sharief for Hastings seat" .The Palm Beach Post . RetrievedOctober 17, 2021 . ^ "Dr. Barbara Sharief" .314 Action Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. RetrievedOctober 11, 2021 .^ "U.S. House Candidates" .www.emilyslist.org .^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 fromthe original on November 3, 2021. RetrievedNovember 4, 2021 . ^a b Geggis, Anne (July 13, 2021)."Perry Thurston rakes in $280K for CD 20 Special Election" .Florida Politics . RetrievedAugust 10, 2021 . ^ Expedition Strategies (D) ^ Data for Progress (D) ^ Public Policy Polling (D) ^ Rivero, Daniel (November 5, 2021)."Vote lead continues to change in Florida U.S. congressional primary recount" .WLRN-FM . RetrievedNovember 12, 2021 . ^ Murray, Joan (November 12, 2021)."Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Wins Democratic Primary Race For District 20" .WFOR-TV ^ Burke, Peter; Sczesny, Matt (November 12, 2021)."Palm Beach County Canvassing Board certifies results for special primary election" .WPTV-TV ^ 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 Archived from the original on November 2, 2021.^a b "2021 Florida Special Primary Election Results: 20th Congressional District" .NBC News ^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. RetrievedNovember 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. RetrievedNovember 30, 2021 . ^ Milberg, Glenna; Torres, Andrea (November 30, 2021)."Holness refuses to concede defeat, grabs on to legal challenges" .WPLG ^ Geggis, Anne (December 7, 2021)."Dale Holness, Still Appealing Congressional District 20 Loss, Files for 2022 Rematch" .Tamarac Talk . ^ "Broward elections supervisor: 'Voters should decide elections, not the postal service' . December 6, 2021.^ Man, Anthony (December 6, 2021)."Holness plans rematch after losing primary to Cherfilus-McCormick by just 5 votes" .Sun-Sentinel . RetrievedDecember 6, 2021 . ^ Weigel, David (January 11, 2022)."Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick wins House seat in Florida once held by Alcee Hastings" .The Washington Post . RetrievedMay 27, 2022 . ^a b c d Manjarres, Javier (August 26, 2021)."Musselwhite Deletes Facebook Attack Against GOP Opponent Mariner" .The Floridian . RetrievedDecember 10, 2021 . ^a b Sun Sentinel Editorial Board (October 1, 2021)."Endorsement: Republicans in 20th District should choose Jason Mariner" .Sun-Sentinel . RetrievedOctober 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 . RetrievedDecember 10, 2021 . ^ "A Florida felon won a GOP congressional primary, but can he hold office?" .Tampa Bay Times . November 5, 2021. RetrievedDecember 11, 2021 .^ Bolies, Colin (November 24, 2021)."This Confederate Flag-Tattoo'd Felon Is Running for Congress" .The Daily Beast . RetrievedDecember 12, 2021 . ^ "Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State" .Florida Department of State Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. RetrievedAugust 12, 2021 .^ Derby, Kevin (April 28, 2021)."Omari Hardy Enters Crowded Congressional Race, Promising to Fight for Green New Deal, Racial Justice" .Florida Daily . RetrievedMay 2, 2021 . ^a b Jason Mariner For Congress ENDORSED BY ROGER STONE! VOTE MarinerForCongress.com Archived from the original on January 13, 2022. RetrievedJanuary 21, 2022 – viaYouTube .^ "Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State" .Florida Department of State Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. RetrievedAugust 12, 2021 .^ "Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State" .Florida Department of State Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. RetrievedAugust 12, 2021 .^ "Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State" .Florida Department of State Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. RetrievedAugust 12, 2021 .^ Dave Wasserman (October 15, 2021)."FL-20: Wealthy Newcomer Could Upend "Old Guard" in Crowded Democratic Primary" . RetrievedOctober 15, 2021 . ^ "House Ratings" . The Rothenberg Political Report. March 19, 2021. RetrievedMarch 20, 2021 .^ Kondik, Kyle (May 20, 2021)."The House: Democrats Would Have a Tough Slog Even Without Redistricting" . RetrievedMay 20, 2021 . ^ "To Succeed Alcee Hastings: Vote Sheila McCormick" .Florida Political Review . December 5, 2021. Archived fromthe original on December 11, 2021. RetrievedDecember 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" .Sun-Sentinel . RetrievedDecember 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. RetrievedDecember 9, 2021 .^ "LGBTQ+ Dems Endorse in Broward County Special Elections" .www.lgbtqdems.org . December 30, 2021. RetrievedDecember 30, 2021 .^ "SIERRA CLUB ENDORSEMENTS" .www.sierraclubindependentaction.org . March 19, 2021. RetrievedJanuary 2, 2022 .^ The Legendary Mr. Speaker Newt Gingrich & Congressional Nominee Jason Mariner Archived from the original on January 13, 2022. RetrievedJanuary 21, 2022 – viaYouTube .^ MARINER FOR CONGRESS Gets Another Great Endorsement From Congressman Burgess Owens . RetrievedJanuary 21, 2022 – viaYouTube .^ "Clear choice in state HD 88 race; not in U.S. District 20" .www.palmbeachpost.com .The Palm Beach Post . December 22, 2021. RetrievedDecember 22, 2021 .^ "In race for Congress, no transparency means no endorsement" .www.sun-sentinel.com .Sun-Sentinel . December 15, 2021. RetrievedDecember 18, 2021 .^a b Pindell, James (January 13, 2022)."A Democrat won a US House seat this week with 79 percent of the vote. Her GOP opponent has not conceded" .The Boston Globe . RetrievedJanuary 14, 2022 . ^ "January 11, 2022 Special Election" .Florida Department of State Division of Elections . RetrievedFebruary 28, 2022 .Official campaign websites
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