Broward County Commissioner and Nurse Is Running to Succeed Rep. Alcee Hastings

September 15, 2021

PHILADELPHIA — Today, 314 Action Fund announced its endorsement of Dr. Barbara Sharief in the special election to represent Florida’s twentieth congressional district. A nurse, Dr. Sharief currently serves as Broward County Commissioner and previously served as the mayor of Broward County as well as vice mayor and city commissioner of Miramar. Dr. Sharief received her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Wilkes University as well as a BSN and MSN from Florida International University and an ASN from Miami Dade College.

“Health care workers have been on the front lines of defense against the COVID-19 pandemic, and Dr. Barbara Sharief is no exception,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, president of 314 Action. “As a nurse and Broward County Commissioner, she has fought tirelessly to help Floridians impacted by the physical and economic impacts of this virus. They deserve to have a candidate on the ballot like Dr. Sharief who can win and bring her leadership and pro-science background to Washington.”

“In my four decades of work on the front lines of medicine as a Doctor of Nursing Practice, my decisions have always been guided by science and facts,” said Dr. Barbara Sharief. “Floridians deserve a representative who will lead with experience and truth, and I’m proud to have the support of 314 Action in my campaign for Congress.” 

In 2022, 314 Action Fund will aim to spend $50 million to elect scientists across all levels of government, with initial targets of seven U.S. Senate races, forty U.S. House races, and twenty-one statewide races. 

ABOUT DR. BARBARA SHARIEF:

Dr. Barbara Sharief’s life has been one of dedication, breaking down barriers, and service. Each stage prepared her to fight for her community in south Florida.

Bringing expertise in the healthcare space, Barbara is a fierce advocate for Medicare expansion and lowering prescription drug costs. Barbara obtained a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Nursing from Florida International University after graduating from Jackson Memorial University Miami school of nursing. Barbara specialized in clinical care and pediatrics, using her skills in a way that benefited those around her. In 2001, she continued her mission by opening her own pediatric and adult homecare service, which now employees over 200 frontline heroes in our community. She learned how to run a business from her father, often helping him out with his small business when she was a kid.

Barbara has served as Broward County Commissioner for 11 years. She has also made history as not only Broward County’s first black female mayor but also the first black female President of the Florida Association of Counties, where she advocated for all 67 counties in Florida.

Throughout her career, she has seen our community face tragedy: from the Fort Lauderdale airport shooting to Hurricane Irma. No matter the instance, Barbara brings strong leadership through problem solving and critical thinking. Time and time again, she has guided her community through difficult times, helping others overcome obstacles and stay resilient. She will bring that same experience to Congress as she helps our community build back strong after the pandemic. 

Barbara has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Floridians, helping to generate a projected $130 billion for transportation and infrastructure improvement projects over a 30 year period in Broward County. Barbara serves as chair on the Opioid Task Force, the Pompano Beach CRA Board and is on the Government Affairs Committee for the Miramar-Pembroke Pines Chamber of Commerce. She is also deeply involved in other facets of her community such as the Jewish Democratic Council of America, the National Organization for Women, the League of Women Voters, the Human Rights Campaign, and the Miramar Democratic Club.

With Barbara comes hope for a better and brighter future. Hope for change. And that is the hope she wants to bring to our district and community if elected as our Congresswoman.

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314 Action Fund is powered by a grassroots community of over six million people working to elect scientists, doctors, and STEM professionals who will use science and facts to address our most pressing issues like climate change and health care. In 2018 and 2020, we played a pivotal role in flipping the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, electing eleven Democratic scientists to federal office, as well as over 100 to state and local offices. In 2021 and 2022, 314 Action Fund will continue working to elect science leaders and defeat climate deniers in Congress and legislatures across the country.