House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York is coming to Miami on Friday to campaign with Democrat Eliott Rodriguez, who is challenging three-term Republican U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar in Florida’s 27th Congressional District.
The two are scheduled to take reporter questions from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. at a location that Rodriguez’s campaign will share with credentialed journalists after they confirm attendance.
The visit follows a push by national Democrats. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added Rodriguez to its Red to Blue program, which offers organizational and fundraising help to challengers in Republican-held seats. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins also endorsed him this week, citing his familiarity with South Florida and his ability to work across political differences.
Rodriguez, the son of Cuban immigrants, spent 25 years at CBS Miami before retiring in 2025. He is campaigning on lowering living costs, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and overhauling immigration policy.
Forecasters have moved the race toward Democrats. Fox News and Sabato’s Crystal Ball shifted the district from Likely Republican to Lean Republican in September, and Cook Political Report followed. Salazar won her last election by roughly 21 points in 2024.
A poll commissioned by Rodriguez’s campaign found the candidates tied at 45% among voters who were pressed on a lean. After respondents heard descriptions of both candidates, Rodriguez led 47% to 40%. The district covers Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Key Biscayne, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, South Miami, West Miami and Miami neighborhoods south of the Dolphin Expressway. Election Day is Nov. 3.
