Florida's Salazar and Rodriguez Enter Automatic Recount After Tight Race
Miami-Dade supervisors confirmed a 0.46 percent margin, triggering a machine recount for the congressional district 27 contest.
By Justin Brooks ·
María Elvira Salazar and Eliott Rodríguez are heading to a mandatory recount in Florida's 27th congressional district. Alina García, the supervisor of elections for Miami-Dade County, announced the decision on Wednesday. She stated that the vote difference currently stands at 0.46 percent. This margin falls within the 0.50 percent threshold set by Florida law for an automatic machine recount.
Garcia noted that the process is not yet finished. There are 202 mail-in ballots remaining for review. A recount will not begin before Saturday. She added that if the final margin drops to 0.25 percent or less, the state requires a manual recount of the votes.
The race featured two candidates with Cuban heritage who both worked in journalism before entering politics. Salazar, the Republican incumbent, is seeking her fourth consecutive term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Rodríguez, the Democratic challenger, would make his first move into elected office if he wins.
Salazar had a complicated relationship with President Donald Trump during the campaign. In September, she distanced herself from the president by arguing that some of his immigration measures went too far. She said Hispanic voters who supported him felt betrayed. Trump responded by saying he still backed her re-election but noted she was not as firm on border issues as he was. On Friday, he posted on Truth Social that he gave her his complete and total support.
Rodríguez campaigned with sharp criticism of Trump's immigration policies. Because the margin was so narrow, neither candidate celebrated a victory on election night. Salazar held an event in Key Biscayne where optimism was the main tone. Rodríguez's gathering was marked by caution.
Salazar won this district in 2024 with 60.4 percent of the vote. The 27th district covers parts of Miami-Dade County, including the city of Miami. In Miami, nearly three out of four residents are Hispanic. Trump won the presidential election in that city by about 15 points in 2024.
