On Saturday, Democratic contender Eliott Rodríguez addressed the contentious move by Republican congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, who released a video condemning Trump's mass deportations. Rodríguez, in statements shared by EFE, suggested that this maneuver is merely a strategic response to the tight polling numbers in Florida's 27th District where they are both vying for a seat.
"It's quite peculiar that she suddenly releases this video claiming opposition to Donald Trump's immigration policy. Let's be clear, that immigration policy is hers as well. She voted for it. This is what María Elvira Salazar stands for, and the residents of this district are aware of it," Rodríguez asserted.
The controversy was sparked by a bilingual video that Salazar filmed in front of the White House on Wednesday, directly confronting the president over his immigration raids and warning that the Hispanic voters who brought him to power "feel betrayed today."
Rodríguez, a former CBS Miami anchor for 25 years and also Cuban-American, went further by accusing Salazar of being "complicit" in the very policy she now claims to oppose.
In a video posted to his campaign account days earlier, the Democratic candidate highlighted how Salazar desperately sought Trump's endorsement and later voted to allocate a $100 billion fund for immigration officers, which he believes makes her directly accountable for deportations, ICE harassment, and family separations.
"She is complicit in all of this. She voted for it and provided Donald Trump with the money and tools to carry it out. Now, just 47 days before the election, she's trying to persuade voters that she disagrees," Rodríguez stated.
The candidate also expanded his argument beyond immigration. In a second video released Friday, he pointed out that Miami is the most expensive city in the United States, surpassing even New York or Los Angeles, with about 10,000 people leaving the metropolitan area annually due to the high cost of living, a topic he claims Salazar deliberately avoids.
"She's worried about her re-election, and rightly so. This race isn't about Donald Trump receiving poor advice on immigration. It's about working families putting food on the table and paying their bills," he declared.
The electoral context supports Rodríguez's interpretation of the polls. An internal survey by Bendixen & Amandi International for his campaign shows both candidates tied at 45% among likely voters, while Trump faces a 54% disapproval rating in a district where 73.5% of residents are Hispanic.
The reaction to Salazar's video was swift from various quarters. The Department of Homeland Security responded on Wednesday by stating that "there will be no amnesty for illegal immigrants, not now, not ever."
Trump himself, on the following day, maintained his support for Salazar but disagreed with her criticisms: "I support her, and yes, I've seen it. I don't agree with her," adding that "María only won because of me."
Experts have labeled Salazar's decision to publicly confront the president as "highly unusual," with Barry University professor Sean Foreman warning that Trump "typically responds with even harsher criticisms against anyone who questions him."
The general election in District 27, one of the six Florida seats Democrats consider contested, is set for November 3, 2026.
Key Questions about the Florida District 27 Election
What triggered the clash between María Elvira Salazar and Donald Trump?
The clash was ignited by a video Salazar recorded criticizing Trump's immigration raids, presenting them as a betrayal to Hispanic voters who supported him.
How does Eliott Rodríguez view María Elvira Salazar's stance on immigration?
Rodríguez considers Salazar's current stance on immigration as contradictory, accusing her of being complicit in the policies she now criticizes.
What are the key issues in the Florida District 27 race?
Beyond immigration, the high cost of living in Miami and the economic struggles of working families are central issues in the race.