Eliott Rodriguez, the Democratic challenger for Florida’s 27th Congressional District (FL CD 27), has secured endorsements from two of Miami-Dade County’s top leaders.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava (D) and City of Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins (D) have officially backed the former TV News anchor’s effort against Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (R).
Mayor Cava: "He Cares Deeply About the Future"
“He knows Miami-Dade, he knows the people who make this community special, and he understands the challenges our families face because he has spent his career telling their stories,” Mayor Cava said in a statement. “He cares deeply about the future of this community and whether the next generation can afford to build their lives here.”
Mayor Higgins: Rodriguez's Impartiality and Strive For Justice is Needed in Congress
In a separate statement, Mayor Higgins praised Rodriguez’s work ethic and commitment to objective journalism throughout his career, commenting, “He can be fair and impartial, hold people in power accountable, and communicate effectively with people he may disagree with.”
“That matters in Congress, where we need leaders who can work across the aisle to lower costs, expand opportunity, and actually deliver results for South Florida,” Mayor Higgins said.
Could Change In Leadership Reflect A Successful Flip?
Mayors Levine Cava and Higgins both flipped their offices after 16 years of Republican leadership.
Both leaders’ impressive flips also made history as they became Miami-Dade and Miami’s first female Mayors, respectively.
Since FL CD 27’s creation in 2013, two Republican leaders – Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (2013-2019) and incumbent Congresswoman Salazar (2021-) – have led the district, with only one Democratic representative in between them.
Could Cava and Higgins’ wins demonstrate a shift in the district’s Republican hold?
Since 2020, FL CD 27 has mostly voted red across statewide races, including for President Trump in both the 2020 & 2024 presidential elections, former Senator Marco Rubio, and Gov. Ron DeSantis for reelection in 2022.
According to VoteHub, polling suggests a toss-up race for the district, with 44.7% backing Rodriguez for reelection.
