Florida Democratic Party Vice Chair Found Dead In Home, Police Arrest Husband

Florida Democrat Nancy Metayer Bowen—a rising political figure who was preparing to launch a congressional campaign—was found dead in her home this week in what authorities are investigating as a domestic violence incident.

Police conducted a wellness check at Bowen’s residence on Wednesday morning, where they discovered her body. According to officials, her husband, Stephen Bowen, has been taken into custody. Law enforcement has stated there are no additional suspects at this time.

Bowen, who served as vice mayor and city commissioner in Coral Springs, had been elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2024. She was also serving as vice chair of the Florida Democratic Party and had been preparing to enter the race for Congress.

Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz confirmed that Bowen was set to announce her candidacy this week. According to reports, she intended to run in the Democratic primary for the seat currently held by Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.

That race was already shaping up to be contentious, as Cherfilus-McCormick faces mounting legal troubles. A federal grand jury in Miami indicted the congresswoman and several associates in December over allegations that roughly $5 million in FEMA disaster relief funds were diverted into her 2021 campaign.

Prosecutors allege that Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, routed funds tied to a COVID-era vaccination contract through multiple accounts to conceal their origin, with significant amounts ultimately used for political contributions. The indictment also accuses her of conspiring to file a false tax return.

If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick could face up to 53 years in prison, while her brother could receive up to 35 years.

The legal scrutiny intensified last week when the House Ethics Committee determined that she violated campaign finance laws and other regulations. Lawmakers found her guilty on 25 of 27 counts following a lengthy and rare public hearing.

“Shortly after the House returns from the April recess, the full Committee will hold a hearing to determine what, if any, sanction would be appropriate for the Committee to recommend,” said Ethics Chairman Michael Guest and Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier in a joint statement.

Potential consequences could include censure—or even expulsion—from Congress, depending on the outcome of further proceedings.

Meanwhile, Cherfilus-McCormick’s legal team continues to push back. Her attorney, William Barzee, argued for delaying the ethics process due to the pending criminal trial.

“She’s absolutely innocent. She’s looking forward to being in criminal court to prove her innocence, which I’m confident she’s going to be able to do,” Barzee said.

Bowen’s sudden death adds a tragic dimension to an already turbulent political landscape in South Florida, where legal battles, ethics investigations, and now a high-profile criminal case have converged in a single congressional district.

Authorities say the investigation into Bowen’s death remains ongoing.