One Miami District Is Testing How Far Trump Has Fallen With Latino Voters
Since 2021, US Rep. María Elvira Salazar has represented the 27th congressional district in Miami-Dade County, where more than 70 percent of residents are Hispanic. As a Republican candidate, she ran with Trump’s seal of approval, nabbing his endorsement that year and in subsequent elections. But last week, Salazar jeopardized her good standing with Trump […]
In a surprising turn, US Rep. María Elvira Salazar, a Republican representing Miami-Dade County, has publicly criticized former President Donald Trump's immigration policies in her first official campaign ad. Salazar, who endorsed Trump in the 2021 election, called out the president for his "anti-immigrant agenda," specifically mentioning his immigration enforcement efforts.
She stated that half of the people arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in July had no criminal records and expressed concern that Hispanic voters who helped Trump win in 2024 feel "betrayed." Salazar urged the president to give these individuals "a dignified life in this promised land" and stressed that "only you can do that."
The ad quickly gained traction among Democrats, including her opponent Eliott Rodriguez, who accused Salazar of supporting the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and defending conditions at the Alligator Alcatraz detention center. Trump responded by stating that he disagreed with Salazar but acknowledged that he helped her get elected. Political experts suggest that this race could be tighter than expected, with recent polls indicating a tie between Salazar and Rodriguez.
Salazar's district, known for its high percentage of Latino voters, is seen as a testing ground for how far Trump's popularity has fallen among the Latino community.
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