Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar has been declared the winner of Florida’s 27th Congressional District, CBS News projected Tuesday evening, after an automatic machine recount confirmed a close race with Democrat Eliott Rodriguez.
The recount, which CBS News Miami said lasted about 18 hours, left the two candidates close to where they stood before. Rodriguez trails by 1,086 votes. Salazar said on social media that the result had been reaffirmed, and she framed it as a message beyond Miami. The state will certify the results Nov. 17.
Before the count, Rodriguez asked a judge to remove Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia from the canvassing board, arguing she appeared to favor Salazar. The judge dismissed the motion Monday morning and let the recount proceed. Garcia had told the Miami Herald on Election Night that Salazar won “with or without a recount,” a remark the judge called stupid, though he said it did not warrant removing her from office.
Rodriguez’s attorney, Juan-Carlos Planas, said the statement was egregious. Salazar’s attorney defended Garcia and said the recount was a chance to verify results.
The district includes parts of Miami, Coral Gables, Kendall, Key Biscayne and Pinecrest. Salazar has represented it since 2021. Rodriguez, a former CBS News Miami anchor, spent 25 years at the station before entering the race in March.
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