20 Facts About Barbara Sharief

Barbara Muhammad Sharief was born on November 7,1971 and is an American politician and nurse who has served as a member of the Florida Senate since 2024.

Barbara Sharief previously served as a Broward County commissioner from 2010 to 2021, serving as mayor from 2013 to 2014, and again from 2016 to 2017.

Barbara Sharief was born in Miami Beach, Florida, and grew up in Miami and Broward County, one of eight children of a self-employed clothing salesman and a retired schoolteacher.

In 1985, at age 14, her father, James Muhammad Barbara Sharief, was shot and killed by a 15-year-old robber.

Barbara Sharief began work soon after to support her family.

Barbara Sharief later attained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing, and an advanced registered nurse practitioner certification from Florida International University.

Barbara Sharief then earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Wilkes University.

In 2009, Barbara Sharief was elected to the Miramar City Commission.

In May 2010, Barbara Sharief filed to run for the Broward County Commission District 8 seat being vacated by Diana Wasserman-Rubin.

In November 2015, Barbara Sharief was named vice mayor for the second time.

In November 2016, Barbara Sharief was re-appointed mayor for the second time.

In 2016, Barbara Sharief was elected President of the Florida Association of Counties.

Barbara Sharief created Commissioner on a Mission, a program focused on the elderly, foreclosure, and unemployment issues.

In 2013, Barbara Sharief proposed a countywide ban on pit bulls, similar to the one implemented in neighboring Miami-Dade County.

Barbara Sharief later withdrew requests for the ban in favor of calling for regulations on dog owners and new funds for animal control.

Barbara Sharief is a member of the Florida Nurses Association and was endorsed by the Florida Nurses Political Action Committee during her run for Florida State Senate in 2024.

In 2013, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration concluded in a routine audit that Barbara Sharief's firm overbilled Medicaid for patient services by close to $500,000.

An ethics commission investigator recommended that the Commission rule against Barbara Sharief, finding that she had filed inaccurate financial disclosure forms in 2010,2011 and 2012.

Barbara Sharief disputed the claims, but agreed to settle with the commission and paid a $1,000 fine for each violation.

In July 2022, Barbara Sharief sued political opponent Lauren Book and a political committee after numerous allegedly libelous ads were circulated to the residents of Florida's new 35th Senate District via mail, email, and text message allegedly paid for by Book and the committee.