Eliott
Rodriguez
Former CBS Miami anchor Eliott Rodriguez is the 2026 Democratic challenger in Florida's 27th Congressional District.
- sources
- 20
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 24
Background
Eliott Rodriguez is the 2026 Democratic candidate for Florida's 27th Congressional District, challenging Republican incumbent María Elvira Salazar. 14 Born in New York City to Cuban immigrant parents, Rodriguez moved to Miami at age 12 and has cited his deep roots in the district as a central part of his campaign. 10 He attended Miami Dade College before graduating from the University of Miami, then began his career as a newspaper reporter before moving into television journalism in 1980. 12 He joined CBS Miami in 1999 and spent 25 years there as an anchor, stepping away on December 19, 2025, to run for Congress. 1213 The FEC identifies him as a challenger with no prior elected office. 18
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 27, Florida
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Congressional candidate, Florida's 27th District
- Website
- eliottrodriguez.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Nov 3filingGeneral election date for FL-27 between Rodriguez and Salazar
The general election for Florida's 27th Congressional District is scheduled for November 3, 2026, per MoveOn's candidate page for Rodriguez.
Eliott Rodriguez : MoveOn: People-Powered Progress · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsRodriguez argues Salazar cannot distance herself from Trump's record on immigration
WLRN described the FL-27 race as more competitive than expected but still slightly favoring Salazar. Rodriguez contended that Salazar's late break with Trump on immigration did not change her overall record of supporting his agenda.
Inside the tightening race for Florida's 27th District · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsRodriguez criticizes Salazar's Cuba policy, argues for economic development approach
In a WLRN interview, Rodriguez criticized Salazar's support for economic pressure on Cuba, saying 'I do not support starving people to death in Cuba,' and argued for a democratic transition focused on economic development.
Inside the tightening race for Florida's 27th District · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsDCCC adds Rodriguez to prestigious Red to Blue program
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added Rodriguez to its Red to Blue program, providing him with additional organizational and fundraising support as part of Democratic efforts to flip FL-27.
DCCC Announces Six New Candidates to Coveted 2026 'Red to ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 4debateThree South Florida TV stations invited both candidates to debate; Rodriguez accepted, Salazar had not agreed
The Florida Press reported that three South Florida television stations invited both candidates to debate and that Rodriguez accepted, while Salazar's campaign had not agreed as of that date.
Rep. Salazar's immigration break with Trump reshapes FL-27 race a month before Election Day · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1endorsementMoveOn endorses Rodriguez, citing affordability, immigration, and healthcare issues
MoveOn announced its endorsement of Rodriguez, highlighting his positions on affordability, workforce housing, insurance costs, Social Security and Medicare, immigration, and education.
Eliott Rodriguez : MoveOn: People-Powered Progress · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1debateRodriguez campaign offered Salazar three October debates; she declined
Newsweek reported that Rodriguez's campaign had offered Salazar three October debates—two in English and one in Spanish—but was told she was not interested. No debate was agreed to or held.
Maria Salazar’s Democratic Rival Won’t Let Her Create Distance From Trump · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 25endorsementMiami Herald editorial board endorses Rodriguez over incumbent Salazar
The Miami Herald editorial board endorsed Eliott Rodriguez, writing that he was 'better suited' than Rep. María Elvira Salazar to represent Florida's 27th District.
Herald endorsement: Miami's U.S. House District 27 · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 13pollTulchin Research poll for House Majority PAC shows Salazar 47%, Rodriguez 46%
A Tulchin Research poll conducted September 8–13 for the Democratic-aligned House Majority PAC found Salazar leading Rodriguez 47% to 46% among 600 likely voters. Reported by Newsweek on October 1.
Tulchin Research Polls · Call the Map · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 30pollCampaign-commissioned poll shows Rodriguez tied with Salazar at 45% each
A Bendixen & Amandi International poll commissioned by the Rodriguez campaign, conducted August 25–30 and reported September 17, found the two candidates tied at 45% each. As a campaign-commissioned poll, it does not provide an independent picture of the race.
‘Hispanics feel betrayed’: María Elvira Salazar breaks with Trump over his immigration offensive in campaign ad · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 18filingRodriguez wins Democratic primary, becoming party's nominee for FL-27
Eliott Rodriguez defeated Robin Peguero in the Democratic primary with approximately 53.5% of the vote, securing the Democratic nomination for Florida's 27th Congressional District.
Eliott Rodriguez (Democratic) — U.S. House, District 27, 2026 · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Steve Calle (South Miami Commissioner) officialListed on Rodriguez's campaign endorsements page; no announcement date given. eliottrodriguez.com
- Miami-Dade Democratic Hispanic Caucus organizationIdentified as an endorser in August 2026 reporting; no specific announcement date given. floridapolitics.com
- Javier Fernandez (Mayor of South Miami) officialListed on Rodriguez's campaign endorsements page; no announcement date given. eliottrodriguez.com
- Ron Klein (former U.S. Congressman) officialListed on Rodriguez's campaign endorsements page as a former officeholder; no announcement date given. eliottrodriguez.com
- Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce organizationIdentified as an endorser in August 2026 reporting; no specific announcement date given. floridapolitics.com
- Fernando Vazquez (Key Biscayne Councilmember) officialListed on Rodriguez's campaign endorsements page; no announcement date given. eliottrodriguez.com
- Dan Gelber (former Florida State Senator) officialListed on Rodriguez's campaign endorsements page as a former officeholder; no announcement date given. eliottrodriguez.com
- Franklin Caplan (Key Biscayne Councilmember) officialListed on Rodriguez's campaign endorsements page; no announcement date given. eliottrodriguez.com
- Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida organizationIdentified as an endorser in August 2026 reporting; no specific announcement date given. floridapolitics.com
- Angelo Castillo (Mayor of Pembroke Pines) officialListed on Rodriguez's campaign endorsements page; no announcement date given. eliottrodriguez.com
- James McDonald (Pinecrest Village Councilmember) officialListed on Rodriguez's campaign endorsements page; no announcement date given. eliottrodriguez.com
- Michael Bracken (Key Biscayne Councilmember) officialListed on Rodriguez's campaign endorsements page; no announcement date given. eliottrodriguez.com
- Michael Hernandez (Pembroke Pines Commissioner) officialListed on Rodriguez's campaign endorsements page; no announcement date given. eliottrodriguez.com
- Shevrin Jones (Florida Senate Democratic Leader Designate) officialListed on Rodriguez's campaign endorsements page; no announcement date given. eliottrodriguez.com
- Patrick Fiore (Palmetto Bay Councilmember) officialListed on Rodriguez's campaign endorsements page; no announcement date given. eliottrodriguez.com
- CHC BOLD PAC (Congressional Hispanic Caucus campaign arm) organizationAnnounced endorsement of Rodriguez for CD-27. boldpac.com · Oct 5, 2026
- Miami-Dade Democratic Party organizationEndorsed Rodriguez and listed him as its endorsed candidate for CD-27 in its official 2026 slate. miamidadedems.org · Oct 3, 2026
- The Miami Herald Editorial Board newspaperEndorsed Rodriguez in the general election; reported by Miami-Dade Democrats by October 3, 2026, and described by Newsweek as occurring the previous week in an article published October 1. miamidadedems.org · Oct 3, 2026
- Miami-Dade Democratic Party organizationListed Rodriguez in official 2026 endorsements list. miamidadedems.org · Oct 3, 2026
- MoveOn organizationAnnounced endorsement of Rodriguez. front.moveon.org · Sep 30, 2026
- DMFI PAC Majority Project organizationIncluded Rodriguez in a general-election endorsement of five Democrats for U.S. House. dmfipac.org · Sep 14, 2026
- SEIU Florida State Council unionEndorsed Rodriguez shortly before the Democratic primary; reported August 17, 2026. floridapolitics.com · Aug 17, 2026
- SEIU Healthcare Florida Local 1991 unionAnnounced endorsement of Rodriguez ahead of the Democratic primary. floridapolitics.com · Aug 13, 2026
- 32BJ SEIU unionAnnounced endorsement of Rodriguez ahead of the Democratic primary. floridapolitics.com · Aug 13, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $661K
- Spent
- $336K
- Cash on hand
- $325K
As of Jul 29, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6FL27098(opens in a new tab)
Sources 20
- [1] Eliott Rodriguez — official campaign website(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [2] Official 2026 Endorsements by the Miami-Dade Democratic Party(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [3] Florida Congressional District 27: Eliott Rodriguez endorsed over María Elvira Salazar(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [4] Tulchin Research Polls · Call the Map(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [5] DCCC Announces Six New Candidates to Coveted 2026 'Red to ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [6] Inside the tightening race for Florida's 27th District(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [7] Two former news anchors, one seat: The battle for Florida's ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [8] Rep. Salazar's immigration break with Trump reshapes FL-27 race a month before Election Day(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [9] Eliott Rodriguez : MoveOn: People-Powered Progress(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [10] Maria Salazar’s Democratic Rival Won’t Let Her Create Distance From Trump(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [11] Herald endorsement: Miami's U.S. House District 27(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [12] Issues(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [13] Eliott Rodriguez (Democratic) — U.S. House, District 27, 2026(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [14] ‘Hispanics feel betrayed’: María Elvira Salazar breaks with Trump over his immigration offensive in campaign ad(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [15] DMFI PAC Majority Project Endorses Five Democrats for U.S. House ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
- [16] Candidate Profile: Eliott Rodriguez — Florida's 27th ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 11, 2026
- [17] Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Aug 20, 2026
- [18] Eliott Rodriguez adds more labor muscle ahead of Democratic Primary vote in CD 27(opens in a new tab) Aug 17, 2026
- [19] 2 SEIU unions back Eliott Rodriguez in competitive CD 27 Democratic Primary(opens in a new tab) Aug 13, 2026
- [20] The Congressional Progressive Caucus ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 10, 2026