Just minutes away from joining only a handful of members of the U.S. House of Representatives ever to be expelled, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned her seat.

“After careful reflection and prayer, I have concluded that it is in the best interest of my constituents and the institution that I step aside at this time,” she said in a statement.

The House Ethics Committee found substantial evidence she misused $5 million in federal disaster relief funds and funneled some of that money into her 2021 campaign to finish the term of the late Alcee Hastings. She, along with several co-defendants, still faces criminal charges. She has pleaded not guilty.

Following the committee’s findings last month, a process she calls “not fair” and “a witch hunt,” many fellow Democrats called for her to resign. The committee was to meet today and determine sanctions, and it appeared that enough Democrats were willing to join Republicans to get the two-thirds supermajority needed for expulsion.

“Rather than play these political games, I choose to step away so that I can devote my time to fighting for my neighbors in Florida’s 20th district,” her statement said.

Her resignation leaves Florida’s 20th Congressional District without representation, a district with large communities of color and LGBTQ residents. In a bid to stave off expulsion, Linda Hugley, the president of Women of Veteran Affairs, sent a letter to the committee saying, “Our district is currently navigating a high-stakes redistricting period, during which continued representation is essential. The loss of a sitting Member would weaken the district’s ability to advocate for itself and protect its interests when those interests are most vulnerable."

Florida could soon lose another congressman to scandal. Cory Mills represents Florida’s Seventh District, which includes parts of Central Florida, from north of Orlando to New Smyrna Beach. The Ethics Committee is investigating the Republican on allegations of violating campaign finance laws, receiving improper benefits related to his position, engaging in sexual misconduct, and misusing congressional resources.

Fellow Republican Nancy Mace, who is also being investigated by the committee, filed a motion of expulsion on Monday.

Two other members of Congress have already resigned this month. Democrat Eric Swalwell of California and Republican Tony Gonzales of Texas left after allegations of sexual misconduct.