Key Biscayne voters will choose between two of their own neighbors for Congress in November after both Eliott Rodriguez and María Elvira Salazar won their respective primaries on Tuesday, Aug. 18, the Key Biscayne Independent reported.
Rodriguez, a former CBS4 Miami anchor, defeated former federal prosecutor Robin Peguero for the Democratic nomination in Florida's 27th Congressional District, taking 53.5% to Peguero's 46.5%, a margin of about 2,250 votes, according to Florida Politics.
Salazar, the two-term Republican incumbent, won easily with 81.8% of the vote against first-time challenger V. Michael Arias.
The result sets up a Nov. 3 general election between two former TV news anchors who have both lived on Key Biscayne. CD 27 also covers Miami, Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Pinecrest, South Miami and several unincorporated areas of Miami-Dade County.
Housing Costs vs. Federal Funding: The Candidates' Pitches
Rodriguez's campaign has centered on lowering the cost of housing, insurance and healthcare. In June, when his campaign released an internal poll showing a 26-point lead in the primary, he said: "Voters are looking for leadership focused on lowering the cost of housing, insurance, healthcare, and everyday expenses while standing up to the Trump administration and defending the rule of law."
Salazar, who flipped the district red in 2020 by defeating Democrat Donna Shalala, has focused on securing federal dollars for the area. In February, she announced $25.6 million in funding for 13 community projects in the district, including coastal resilience initiatives on Key Biscayne. Her office reports more than $89.5 million secured for 47 district projects since she took office.
Why National Forecasters See a Tightening Race
The race favors Salazar on paper. Donald Trump carried CD 27 by roughly 9 points in 2024, according to Florida Politics. But independent forecasters at the Cook Political Report, CQ/Roll Call and Sabato's Crystal Ball have all shifted the race toward Democrats since Rodriguez entered, the Biscayne Times reported.
The district has one of the largest foreign-born populations in the country, with about 428,000 foreign-born residents making up roughly 54% of the population, Fox News reported. Salazar has taken a more moderate stance on immigration than some GOP colleagues, pairing border enforcement with a pathway to legal status for qualifying immigrants.
On Key Biscayne, voter engagement was strong on primary day. By 7 a.m., 885 registered voters in Precinct 051 had already cast ballots, 695 by mail and 190 during early voting, the Islander News reported.
The general election is Nov. 3.
