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27th Congressional District · 2026 U.S. House · Unofficial result

U.S. House, 27th District: what did each candidate actually say they'd do?

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R) ran for re-election against Democrat Eliott Rodriguez, who says he has spent forty years telling South Florida's story. With all 67 counties reporting, Salazar leads by 1,116 votes. Our saved sources show no race call and no concession, and the count is unofficial until certified. Check your own address on the Florida Division of Elections voter lookup to confirm your district.

Salazar leadsAll counties reporting; no call or concession in our sources; unofficial until certified1
50.23%Salazar (R): 124,4741
49.77%Rodriguez (D): 123,3581
1,116Vote margin of 247,832 cast1

Do they have a plan?

We read every issue on each candidate's own website and checked the same six things for every one. We count what's there. We don't grade whether the ideas are good. Read the full scoring rules

Of the issues on their website, how many...Eliott RodriguezMaria Elvira Salazar
Names a policy9 of 10
6 of 7
Says how they'd do it1 of 10
4 of 7
Includes a number or target1 of 10
0 of 7
Says how it's paid for0 of 10
0 of 7
Gives a timeline0 of 10
0 of 7
Points to a record0 of 10
6 of 7

The candidates, side by side

Each topic shows every candidate's own words on it, in alphabetical order, from their own website. "Nothing on this topic" means their site doesn't cover it. Topic rows are grouped by us from their headings; the scores don't change.

Eliott RodriguezDemocrat
Maria Elvira SalazarRepublican
Who they are
Eliott Rodriguez
Says "I've spent forty years telling South Florida's story."11 His site lists no elected office. His Issues page has ten headings, each with a short list of what he "will" do.10
Maria Elvira Salazar
Incumbent: her pages say "As your representative in Congress".3 Her Issues page lists seven items; the Economy, Healthcare, Environment, Public Safety, Infrastructure and Fighting Socialism pages hold lists of her "key accomplishments", and Term Limits appears only on the Issues page.2 Her issue menu also lists "Seniors", but that page returned not found (404) when we saved it, so it is not scored. Most items are funding she says she secured or laws she says she passed or introduced, which earn the Record check, not the number or funding checks.
Guns
Eliott Rodriguez
Common-Sense Gun Safety"He supports Ethan's Law to require safe firearm storage and supports restoring a federal ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines."10
Names a policy
Maria Elvira Salazar
Nothing on this topic
Immigration and the border
Eliott Rodriguez
Secure Borders, an Orderly System, and Humane Treatment"Increasing border, immigration-court, and asylum-processing capacity so cases are decided promptly." Also: "Protecting Dreamers and providing fair treatment for families with deep roots in America."10
Names a policy
Maria Elvira Salazar
Nothing on this topic
Social Security, Medicare and seniors
Eliott Rodriguez
Protecting Medicare, Social Security, and Healthcare"Allow Americans between 55 and 64 to buy into Medicare voluntarily."10
Names a policyIncludes a number or target
Maria Elvira Salazar
Nothing on this topic
Health care
Eliott Rodriguez
Nothing on this topic
Maria Elvira Salazar
Healthcare"Introduced the John W. Walsh Alpha-1 Home Infusion Act. This bill will allow Medicare beneficiaries with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency to receive essential treatments at home, reducing healthcare costs and enhancing their quality of life." Also: "Co-introduced and passed the Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act".4
Names a policySays how they'd do itPoints to a record
Energy and environment
Eliott Rodriguez
Protecting South Florida's Environment"Invest in Everglades restoration, clean water, resilient infrastructure, and protection of Biscayne Bay."10
Names a policy
Maria Elvira Salazar
Environment"Introduced the National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act: This creates a comprehensive plan for strengthening our resilience against hurricane damage, storm surges, and flooding". Also: "My Legislation to Protect Migratory Birds Signed into Law".5
Names a policyPoints to a record
Roads, transit and infrastructure
Eliott Rodriguez
Nothing on this topic
Maria Elvira Salazar
Infrastructure"I have secured millions of dollars in federal funding to modernize and strengthen South Florida's infrastructure." Her list includes "$5 Million for PortMiami Reefer Yard Expansion" and "$4 Million to City of Miami for 8th Street Neighborhood Flood Mitigation Project".2, 7
Points to a record
Crime and public safety
Eliott Rodriguez
Nothing on this topic
Maria Elvira Salazar
Public Safety"I Introduced the SERVICE Act for Veterans and Law Enforcement: Launches a pilot program through the U.S. Department of Justice to establish veteran response teams within law enforcement". Also: "My TAKE IT DOWN Act is now Law".6
Names a policySays how they'd do itPoints to a record
Elections and voting
Eliott Rodriguez
Standing Up to Trump and Defending Democracy"Reassert Congress's constitutional authority over spending, war powers, and executive action."10
None of the six checks
Maria Elvira Salazar
Nothing on this topic
Ethics, term limits and money in politics
Eliott Rodriguez
Independent Leadership and Real Accountability"Institute a ban on members of Congress or the Executive Branch trading individual stocks." Also: "the release of all records the Epstein Files Transparency Act mandated, while protecting victims' identities".10
Names a policy
Strength Abroad, Accountability at Home"Require clear objectives, congressional authorization, appropriate oversight, and a realistic exit strategy before prolonged military action."10
Names a policy
Maria Elvira Salazar
Term Limits"We must get rid of career politicians in both parties that put profits and power above people, and we must set limits on how long public servants can serve in Washington."2
Names a policy
Taxes, jobs and the economy
Eliott Rodriguez
Lowering the Cost of Living"Identifying underused federal land and converting it into affordable mixed-use housing." Also: "Pursuing a federal backstop to help stabilize Florida's catastrophic homeowners-insurance market."10
Names a policySays how they'd do it
A Strong Economy Built on Fair Competition"Oppose the Trump administration's government acquisition of ownership stakes in private businesses and introduce legislation requiring the government divest those interests in an orderly fashion."10
Names a policy
Strengthening Labor While Fostering Economic Growth"Enact laws that protect government workers, such as the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act." Also: "Increase the federal minimum wage."10
Names a policy
Maria Elvira Salazar
Small Business and the Economy"I co-sponsored the Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act, which mandates that any new SBA regulation must not impose costs on small businesses." Also: "My COVID Economic (EIDL) Relief Act implemented into law: This bill gave small business owners extra time to pay back loans".3
Names a policySays how they'd do itPoints to a record
Rights and freedoms
Eliott Rodriguez
Nothing on this topic
Maria Elvira Salazar
Fighting Socialism"The FORCE Act: I introduced legislation to ensure Cuba remains on the State Sponsor of Terrorism list until it meets specific conditions for human rights and democratic reforms." Also: "My RENACER Act signed into law: This bill sanctions the Ortega-Murillo Regime in Nicaragua."8
Names a policySays how they'd do itPoints to a record
Their record
Eliott Rodriguez
  • Says "I've spent forty years telling South Florida's story" and "nearly five decades asking tough questions and holding powerful people accountable".10, 11 His site names no vote, bill or elected office.
Maria Elvira Salazar
  • Says "As your representative in Congress, I have secured millions of dollars in federal funding" and lists laws, such as "Co-introduced and passed the Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act, funding mental health services, overdose prevention, and more, signed into law in December 2022."2, 4 Her Bio says she was a journalist before Congress.9
In their words
Eliott Rodriguez

"I'm running because families in Miami can't afford to live here anymore, because our democracy is under real stress, and because the politics of cruelty toward immigrants is not who we are."

Eliott Rodriguez, campaign Home page11

"America does not have to choose between enforcing its laws and treating people with dignity."

Eliott Rodriguez, campaign Issues page10
Maria Elvira Salazar

"My focus is simple: creating opportunity, supporting workers and small businesses, and building a stronger economy for every family in South Florida."

Maria Elvira Salazar, campaign Issues page2

"We must get rid of career politicians in both parties that put profits and power above people"

Maria Elvira Salazar, campaign Issues page2
Where we read it
Eliott Rodriguez
Website: eliottrodriguez.com (checked 11/5/2026)
Maria Elvira Salazar
Website: mariaelvirasalazar.com/issues/ (checked 11/5/2026)

The middle

Where they agree

  • Both name the Everglades. Salazar: "As a proud champion of the Everglades, I am fully committed to securing funding for its restoration and preservation".2 Rodriguez: "Invest in Everglades restoration, clean water, resilient infrastructure, and protection of Biscayne Bay."10
  • Both back small business. Salazar says she "fought to help small businesses grow and create jobs".2 Rodriguez: "Support small businesses, organized labor, and fair competition."10

Where they really split

  • Taxes: Salazar says "I have voted to lower taxes".2 Rodriguez would "Require wealthy individuals and large corporations to pay their fair share without punishing ordinary families or legitimate small businesses."10
  • Health care: Salazar points to funding and bills such as the Alpha-1 home infusion bill.4 Rodriguez would "Allow Americans between 55 and 64 to buy into Medicare voluntarily."10

What each one leaves out

  • Salazar's seven issues name a policy on six and spell out how on four. Her dollar figures are funding she says she already secured. They carry no future numbers, costs or dates, and Term Limits has no details at all.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
  • Rodriguez's ten issues name a policy on nine and spell out how on one (federal land for housing), and gives one number (a Medicare buy-in for ages 55 to 64). He names no cost or date, and his site names no bill or vote of his own.10
Sources (checked 11/5/2026)
  1. Florida Division of Elections, Florida Election Watch, unofficial (all 67 counties at 100% of precincts reporting): floridaelectionwatch.gov/FederalOffices/USRepresentative
  2. Maria Elvira Salazar campaign, Issues: mariaelvirasalazar.com/issues/
  3. Maria Elvira Salazar campaign, Small Business and the Economy: mariaelvirasalazar.com/issues/economy/
  4. Maria Elvira Salazar campaign, Healthcare: mariaelvirasalazar.com/issues/healthcare/
  5. Maria Elvira Salazar campaign, Environment: mariaelvirasalazar.com/issues/environment/
  6. Maria Elvira Salazar campaign, Public Safety: mariaelvirasalazar.com/issues/public_safety/
  7. Maria Elvira Salazar campaign, Infrastructure: mariaelvirasalazar.com/issues/infrastructure/
  8. Maria Elvira Salazar campaign, Fighting Socialism: mariaelvirasalazar.com/issues/fight_socialism/
  9. Maria Elvira Salazar campaign, Bio: mariaelvirasalazar.com/bio/
  10. Eliott Rodriguez campaign, Issues: eliottrodriguez.com/issues
  11. Eliott Rodriguez campaign, Home: eliottrodriguez.com