Former CBS Miami anchor Eliott Rodriguez enters 2026 race against Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar in Florida

A high-profile local media figure moves into a closely watched South Florida congressional contest

Former CBS News Miami anchor Eliott Rodriguez announced on March 10, 2026, that he is running for Congress in Florida’s 27th Congressional District, setting up a challenge to incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar. Rodriguez, a longtime television journalist in South Florida, retired from CBS Miami in December 2025 after more than 25 years with the station and nearly five decades in journalism.

The contest will play out in a Miami-Dade-based district whose current boundaries have been in place since January 2023. The district includes parts of the City of Miami south of the Dolphin Expressway, including areas such as Downtown and Little Havana, as well as Coral Gables, South Miami, Pinecrest, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Key Biscayne.

What is known about the incumbent and the district’s recent electoral track record

Salazar, a former television journalist who entered politics in recent election cycles, has represented Florida’s 27th District since January 2021. She is seeking to hold the seat through the 2026 midterm election. Outside election analyses of the district’s recent performance have described the seat as increasingly favorable to Republicans, citing double-digit margins in the most recent cycles.

Salazar’s House biography lists committee assignments that include Foreign Affairs and Small Business. Her political profile and voting record are expected to remain central lines of scrutiny as challengers define the race’s stakes on issues ranging from immigration policy to federal spending priorities.

Rodriguez’s entry and the emerging Democratic field

Rodriguez’s decision adds a prominent name to a developing Democratic lineup seeking to flip the seat. Florida’s candidate-tracking records already show a Democratic candidate, Robin Peguero, filing on January 16, 2026, for the District 27 race. Other potential contenders and advocacy activity have also signaled early interest in making the district more competitive in 2026.

Rodriguez and Salazar share a notable biographical parallel: both built long careers in broadcast journalism before seeking elective office. That overlap is likely to shape campaign messaging around public visibility, constituent outreach, and credibility with voters who follow local news and civic affairs.

Key dates and what happens next

• December 2025: Rodriguez retires from CBS Miami.

• January 16, 2026: State records show Robin Peguero filed for the District 27 contest.

• March 10, 2026: Rodriguez announces his candidacy.

• November 2026: General election for Florida’s U.S. House seats.

The 2026 campaign in Florida’s 27th District is now set to feature a veteran incumbent and at least one newly announced challenger with deep local name recognition.

With multiple candidates positioning for the Democratic nomination and Salazar preparing a reelection bid, the coming months are expected to bring clearer signals about fundraising strength, endorsements, and which issues will dominate a race centered in one of Florida’s most visible media and political markets.