Salazar Leads Rodriguez in Florida’s 27th as Close Margins Point to Recount
Now that every precinct has reported, a mandatory recount appears unavoidable in the contest for Florida’s 27th Congressional District, because Republican María Elvira Salazar holds a 1,116-vote advantage over Democrat Eliott Rodriguez that falls squarely within the 0.5% threshold required to trigger it.
The nail-biter arrived as a sharp contrast to the 20-point victory Salazar secured in the district in 2024. Supporters gathered for a watch party on Tuesday night at Milanezza, an Argentinian restaurant on the wealthy offshore island of Key Biscayne.
When Salazar took the microphone at 10 p.m., she addressed the room with a mixture of celebration and caution. She highlighted an expanding wave of Democratic support across Florida, observing that victories were being secured by Democrats statewide as well as in regions nationwide where such outcomes would have seemed unimaginable just years prior, including South Carolina and Texas.
It’s no doubt that it’s a moment of celebration. But also it’s a moment of reckoning. The voters have spoken loud and clear all over District 27, Florida, and the rest of the country, that my party — my Republican Party — needs to course-correct on the economy and on immigration.
Salazar Addresses Changing Margins in Miami-Dade County
Salazar’s frank assessment drew cheers from the Republican, nearly all-Latino crowd. She added that she was there to help the Republican Party and the White House understand what her community was saying.
The margins show a change in Miami-Dade County. In 2024, Trump won Miami-Dade by 11 points, making him the first Republican presidential candidate to win the county in 36 years. In 2016, Trump lost the county by almost 300,000 votes to Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Rodriguez told supporters gathered at Pub 52 in South Miami that the tight result confirmed a significant crossover of votes in red Miami-Dade County to Democrats. He made clear that he would not concede until a recount was finished.
Tonight, if you ever doubted that every vote matters, this is proof that every vote matters. And we are going to wait until every single vote is counted. This is an extraordinarily close election, and no final outcome should be declared before the results are clear. President Trump. Rodriguez
Fernand Amandi, a campaign strategist for Rodriguez, said in a statement that “our team is closely monitoring the process,” noting that every legally cast ballot must be counted accurately.
Salazar Criticizes Administration Immigration Policies in Campaign Ad
The congressional race played out against the backdrop of relations between Salazar and the president. Back in September, Salazar captured attention nationwide by releasing a campaign spot cautioning President Trump that numerous Latino constituents in her area felt let down by the administration’s stringent immigration directives.
Standing in front of the White House and speaking directly to the camera in both English and Spanish, she said, “Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far.” Trump, who had endorsed Salazar in 2020 and every race since then, shared posts on his Truth Social that criticized Salazar. One post called her a “back stabber.” Asked about her comments, Trump said he “understands what she is saying,” but that he still supports her. He posted a supporting message on Election Day.”
Back in South Miami, former Democratic state Rep. Annie Betancourt noted that the suspenseful night energized local party members who witnessed firsthand the number of crossover votes.
As election officials prepare to oversee the recount, supporters from both sides remain fixed on the final tallies. While some voters at Salazar’s watch party admitted to feeling anxious over the shifting numbers, others like Valentina Maietto maintained confidence in the incumbent.
“She’s been very devoted to the country, especially to District 27. She’s been working very hard. She’s been supporting immigrants that have been deported, and she wants to do it with dignity,” Maietto said.
