It was only a matter of time before Republicans and Conservatives across the country would start targeting the "35 wayward Republicans" that voted in favor of the January 6 Capitol Riot Commission and have been accused of turning their backs on former President Donald Trump, including Miami area Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar.
President Trump gave his "complete and total endorsement" to Rep. Elvira Salazar during the 2020 presidential cycle but now appears to have turned against her.
Now a small business owner and self-styled America First Republican, Darlene Swaffar, is considering a run against Rep. Salazar in the 2022 midterm election.
Swaffar, who grew up in Brooklyn and Miami, is currently running for Congress in Florida’s 22nd congressional district but told The Floridian this past weekend that because of Rep. Salazar’s recent actions and votes against the “America First Agenda” President Trump put forth, she was seriously considering a switch to Salazar’s district.
Swaffar said that she is concerned about “Salazar’s weak leadership regarding adhering to the Republican platform” put in place by Trump and for voting to strip Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of her committee assignments, voting for the Jan 6 Commission, and for voting with Democrats against gun rights.
“I don’t understand,” said Swaffar. “She ran against Socialism, now she's running with Socialism,” said Swaffar.
Salazar's recent votes have caused many Hispanic Republicans in Miami-Dade County to second-guess their support for Salazar, particularly those with an allegiance to President Trump.
On May 20th, President Trump put out a statement that all but called for these “35 wayward Republicans” to primary challenged.
“See, 35 wayward Republicans—they just can’t help themselves. We have much better policy and are much better for the Country, but the Democrats stick together, the Republicans don’t. They don’t have the Romney’s, Little Ben Sasse’s, and Cheney’s of the world. Unfortunately, we do. Sometimes there are consequences to being ineffective and weak. The voters understand!”- President Donald Trump.
Republican congressional candidate Catalina Lauf was the first to challenge one of the “35 wayward Republicans” by announcing her congressional campaign against Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger.