Republican Rep. María Elvira Salazar of Florida’s 27th Congressional District has won re-election after a machine recount confirmed her victory over Democratic challenger Eliott Rodriguez, NBC News and CBS News projected on Tuesday.
Salazar’s re-election was reaffirmed following a recount that lasted approximately 18 hours, with the final margin standing at 1,086 votes—nearly identical to the initial tally. The state will certify the results on November 17, according to CBS News Miami.
In her victory statement, Salazar said, “My deepest gratitude to every Republican, Democrat, and Independent who placed their trust in me. This victory sends a message beyond Miami: We prevailed because we LISTENED.”
Recount process and legal challenges
The recount was automatically triggered under Florida law after the initial margin fell within 0.5% of the total votes. Rodriguez’s campaign sought to remove Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia from the canvassing board, alleging bias in her handling of the election. A judge dismissed the motion on Monday morning, ruling that Garcia’s statements did not warrant removal.
Garcia had previously stated to the Miami Herald that Salazar had won the election “with or without a recount,” though she later clarified that Rodriguez could still win, though the possibility was unlikely. The judge deemed Garcia’s remarks insufficient to disqualify her from the process.
Political tensions and policy disputes
Salazar’s re-election comes amid ongoing tensions with former President Donald Trump, who had endorsed her in 2021 but later criticized her for opposing his immigration policies. In September, Salazar released an advertisement criticizing Trump’s aggressive deportation policies, arguing that many Hispanics felt “betrayed” by the crackdown. Trump responded by amplifying social media posts labeling Salazar a “backstabber.”
Despite the public dispute, Trump did not formally revoke his endorsement of Salazar. The 27th District, which includes parts of Miami-Dade County, is heavily Hispanic and has been a focal point of Trump’s deportation campaign, with over 130,000 pending removal cases—the highest in the nation.
Rodriguez, a former local news anchor, sought to capitalize on the rift, calling Salazar “politically toxic” and suggesting Trump was distancing himself from her. However, Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign carried Miami-Dade County by 15 points, marking the first time a Republican presidential candidate won the county in 36 years.
District demographics and broader implications
Florida’s 27th District spans working-class, largely Hispanic neighborhoods as well as some of the wealthiest ZIP codes in the U.S. The district also includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The race drew national attention due to its proximity to Trump’s planned presidential library, which is set to be located in the district.
Salazar, who has represented the district since 2021, will serve another term in Congress, continuing her role as a Republican voice in a district that has historically leaned conservative despite its diverse population.