Overview:
Six Haitian and Haitian American candidates are running in contested Florida primaries on Aug. 18, including races for governor and U.S. House districts 20 and 24.
Florida voters head to the polls Tuesday for a primary election featuring at least six Haitian and Haitian American candidates seeking congressional and statewide office.
The candidates span both major political parties and include two candidates for governor and four seeking seats in Congress. Several are running in South Florida districts that include some of the state’s largest Haitian communities.
Florida is a closed-primary state, meaning voters generally may vote only in the primary of the political party with which they are registered. The candidates and races that appear on a voter’s ballot also depend on where that voter lives.
Here are six Haitian candidates on Florida’s Aug. 18 primary ballot.
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick — Democratic primary, U.S. House District 20
Former U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is seeking a return to Congress in a crowded Democratic primary for Florida’s 20th Congressional District.
Cherfilus-McCormick became the first Haitian American Democrat elected to Congress after winning a special election to the seat in 2022. She represented the district until April 2026, when she resigned shortly before a House Ethics Committee hearing related to allegations that she misused federal disaster relief funds.
Federal prosecutors indicted Cherfilus-McCormick in November 2015 over allegations that she laundered $5 million in COVID-19 relief funds into her campaign. She has denied wrongdoing.
In the Democratic primary, Cherfilus-McCormick is competing against longtime U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness, Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell — the 2Live Crew rapper known for such party anthems as “Doo Doo Brown” — and teacher and activist Elijah Manley.
The newly drawn District 20 is located entirely within Broward County and includes predominantly Black communities in central and western Broward.
Rod Joseph — Republican primary, U.S. House District 20
Rod Joseph, a U.S. Army veteran, is seeking the Republican nomination in District 20.
His campaign biography highlights his military service, including his status as a Purple Heart recipient. Joseph says immigration, veterans’ benefits, education and economic opportunity are among his priorities.
He is competing against Brent Andersen, Lateresa “LA” Jones and Carla Spalding in the Republican primary.
Jean Monestime — Democratic primary, U.S. House District 24
Former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jean Monestime is one of seven Democrats seeking to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson in District 24.
Monestime became the first Haitian American elected to the Miami-Dade County Commission and later the first Haitian American to chair it. He represented North Miami-Dade for more than a decade.
Monestime has emphasized affordability, immigration and U.S. relations with Haiti and other Caribbean nations during his congressional campaign.
District 24 includes Miami Gardens, Opa-locka, North Miami, Little Haiti, Brownsville, West Park, Pembroke Park and portions of Miramar and Miami.
Rudolph Moise — Democratic primary, U.S. House District 24
Physician Rudolph Moise is also seeking the Democratic nomination in District 24.
Moise has previously run for the congressional seat twice. He is the founding president of Comprehensive Health Center and has spent decades working in South Florida.
He joins Monestime, Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Oliver Gilbert III, state Sen. Shevrin Jones, attorney Kendrick Meek Jr., community arts leader Marshall Davis Sr. and attorney Roderick Vereen in the Democratic primary.
The race marks a major transition for District 24 after Wilson decided not to seek reelection. The district remains heavily Democratic, making the Aug. 18 primary particularly consequential in determining who could represent communities that include Little Haiti, North Miami and Miami Gardens.
Dotie Joseph — Democratic primary, Florida governor
State Rep. Dotie Joseph is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.
Joseph was born in Haiti and moved to Florida as a child. She represents Florida House District 108 and has served in the Legislature since 2018. Her background includes work as a civil rights and government attorney, and she previously served as president of the Haitian Lawyers Association.
Joseph is competing against David Jolly, Evelyn Castillo-Bach, Thomas Eloy Fernandez, Dayna Marie Foster and Stephann Norman for the Democratic nomination.
Her campaign has focused on affordability, wages, health care and education. She has said she wants to increase pay for state workers and address Florida’s housing costs.
Caneste Succe — Republican primary, Florida governor
Caneste Succe is seeking the Republican nomination for governor in an 11-candidate field.
Succe was born in Haiti and moved to Lantana at 18, according to his campaign biography. His background includes work as an aircraft mechanic, service in corrections with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and employment with the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office.
His campaign platform emphasizes lowering the cost of living and insurance, strengthening Florida’s economy, improving education, supporting agriculture and increasing public safety.
Succe faces a Republican field that includes U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, businessman James Fishback and six others. Florida election officials list Succe as a qualified Republican candidate for governor.
Polls open Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. for Florida’s 2026 primary election.
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