Democrat to replace Hastings in vacant Florida US House seat

By BRENDAN FARRINGTON
Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick will fill Florida’s vacant U.S. House seat. Cherfilus-McCormick defeated Republican Jason Mariner during a special election Tuesday. She’ll replace Democrat Alcee Hastings, who was the longest-serving member of the Florida delegation before he died in April of pancreatic cancer. Cherfilus-McCormick’s election boosts Democrats’ slim majority in the House to 222-212. Cherfilus-McCormick will have to compete in another primary in August if she wants a shot at a full term.