Full Breakdown
Eliott Rodriguez Challenges Incumbent María Elvira Salazar in Florida’s 27th Congressional District
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Contest Overview
Former CBS News Miami anchor Eliott Rodriguez launched a Democratic campaign in March to unseat Republican U.S. Representative María Elvira Salazar in Florida’s 27th Congressional District, which includes Miami, Coral Gables, Kendall, Key Biscayne and Pinecrest and is roughly three-quarters Latino. Rodriguez argues that Salazar’s alignment with former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies has alienated Hispanic voters, while Salazar says she is defending “American values” and has secured Trump’s endorsement.
Background & Context
Salazar has held the seat since 2021 and is a noted Trump ally. Trump reposted calls from other Republicans to remove her from the November ballot and later reaffirmed his support, calling her a “tremendous champion” for South Florida. The district’s large Venezuelan community feels the impact of the end of Temporary Protected Status, whose last protections lapse on October 2.
Data & Statistics
- Tulchin Research, commissioned by Rodriguez’s campaign, released a September poll showing Salazar ahead by a single point, within the poll’s error range.
- The Cook Political Report moved the race from “Solid Republican” in May to “Lean Republican” after the poll and a noted backlash among Hispanic voters toward Trump’s immigration enforcement.
- Trump won the district by 15 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.
- The Dignity Act, Salazar’s immigration bill, would grant renewable work status to undocumented immigrants who pay taxes and have no criminal record; it has drawn criticism from the MAGA coalition.
Official Statements & Responses
- President Donald Trump publicly called Salazar a “tremendous champion” for South Florida and later reposted messages urging Republicans to replace her on the ballot.
- Rodriguez has framed the race as a response to Salazar’s voting record, asking voters to “stand on your record” and questioning her support for the “big, beautiful bill” that cut health-care subsidies in the district.
- The Miami Herald editorial board endorsed Rodriguez; Salazar responded with an X statement.
Criticism & Opposition
Rodriguez contends that Salazar’s support for the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown has harmed Cuban, Venezuelan, Haitian, Central American and South American communities. He also labels the Dignity Act the “Indignity Act” and argues that her voting record on health-care subsidies has left working-class residents facing unaffordable housing and rising costs of living.
Verbatim Quote
> “What I considered was how I felt about what’s going on in this country. And I thought that if I don’t run, if I don’t do this, if I don’t take this opportunity to flip this seat, I may be angry, I may be depressed, I may be cursing at the television.” — Eliott Rodriguez
What’s Next
Ballots are already in voters’ hands, and the campaign window for side-by-side messaging is closing. Rodriguez has offered Salazar three debates—two in English and one in Spanish—but reports indicate she has declined. The November election will determine whether the district remains under Republican control or flips to Democratic representation.