Nancy Metayer Bowen, a Florida Democratic politician and former vice chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, was found dead in her home. Authorities have arrested her husband, Stephen Bowen, in connection with her death, which is being investigated as a domestic violence incident. Police confirmed that no additional suspects are involved. The discovery occurred during a wellness check at her residence on Wednesday morning, TMZ reported.
Bowen had a long history of public service in Coral Springs, where she served as both city commissioner and vice mayor. She was first elected to the Coral Springs city commission in 2020 and re-elected in 2024. In November 2025, she was appointed to a second term as vice mayor. Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D) noted that Bowen had been preparing to announce her candidacy for Congress, with the official announcement scheduled for Thursday. She intended to run in the Democratic primary for Florida’s 20th Congressional District, a seat currently held by Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), who faces serious legal challenges.
Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Miami in December for allegedly misappropriating approximately $5 million in FEMA disaster relief funds and funneling the money into her 2021 congressional campaign. Prosecutors allege that the funds originated from an overpayment linked to a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract awarded to the family’s home-health-care company. The money was reportedly moved through multiple accounts to conceal its origin, with a portion ultimately directed toward political contributions. She is also accused of conspiring with her tax preparer to file a false federal tax return. If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick could face up to 53 years in prison, while her brother could face up to 35 years.
The controversy has been compounded by recent findings from the House Ethics Committee. In a rare public proceeding, an eight-member subcommittee voted that Cherfilus-McCormick violated campaign finance laws and other regulations on 25 of 27 counts. The full committee is expected to hold a hearing after the April recess to determine appropriate sanctions, which could include censure or expulsion. Cherfilus-McCormick’s attorney, William Barzee, raised concerns that the committee’s findings could influence the jury pool for her upcoming federal trial, emphasizing that she maintains her innocence.
Bowen’s death adds a tragic chapter to Florida politics just as a high-profile congressional race was beginning to take shape, highlighting both the personal and political turmoil affecting the state’s Democratic Party.
