After counting all remaining overseas and military ballots in the Democratic primary race in Florida’s 20th congressional district ‘special election,” it appears that businesswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has defeated Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness by 5 votes.
Even with his big lead in Broward County, Commissioner Holness, who was endorsed by the late-Rep. Alcee Hastings (D), could not overcome those few votes to become the Democratic congressional nominee, and presumably the next member of the U.S. Congress.
Cherifilus-McCormick was able to best Holness in Palm Beach County, where there were considerably fewer registered Democrats than in Broward.
After a mandatory machine recount in both counties, and after counting all the aforementioned overseas and military ballots, Progressive Cherfilus-McCormack nudged out the more moderate Holness 11,662 to 11,657.
Now the controversial Cherifilus-McCormick will take on Republican Jason Mariner in the special election to be held on Jan.11.
Cherifilus-McCormick is the hands-down favorite to win the contest in the minority-heavy congressional district.
