Republican U.S. Rep. Elvira Salazar and Democratic challenger Elliott Rodriguez are making their final push to voters in one of the most closely watched congressional races in South Florida. The district stretches from downtown Miami to Cutler Bay.
Both are former local broadcast journalists whose parents immigrated from Cuba. Salazar, who has held the seat since 2021, is pointing to her record, including what she called millions of dollars for affordable senior housing and her vote for tax cuts on tips and overtime. She also said voters know her and will face a clear choice between her and a socialist opponent.
Rodriguez said the race is essentially even and that Salazar, who won the district by 20 percent a couple of years ago, is in danger of losing. He said she has not fought hard enough on immigration, and he criticized federal immigration agents for how they have treated people working in the economy and people filming or protesting.
Salazar was scheduled to campaign in Key Biscayne on Tuesday. Public polling shows her ahead of Rodriguez by three points, though the source said that could change as ballots come in.
