House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries visited South Florida to support Democratic congressional candidate Eliott Rodriguez, signaling increased national party attention on the race to unseat Republican incumbent Rep. María Elvira Salazar in Florida’s 27th Congressional District.
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During a stop at CAO Bakery in Pinecrest, Jeffries pledged to help Rodriguez secure the resources needed to compete in the November election. Rodriguez’s campaign has joined the Democratic Party’s Red to Blue program, which directs additional support to competitive races as Democrats seek to regain control of the House of Representatives.
“I’m going to be a forceful and strong advocate that we are doing anything possible to ensure Eliott Rodriguez has the resources to communicate to the people here in South Florida,” Jeffries said.
Rodriguez criticized the current economic climate, immigration policies and what he described as corruption in the country, arguing that voters are looking for a change in leadership.
“People did not vote for this economy, for this immigration policy, and people certainly did not vote for this corruption that we are seeing in this country right now,” Rodriguez said.
Salazar pushed back against the high-profile Democratic visit, drawing a connection between Jeffries and Rodriguez and what she characterized as radical socialist influences within the Democratic Party.
“They are two peas in a pod,” Salazar said. “They are both going to be dragged by the Democratic forces that are infiltrating, the socialist radical forces infiltrating the Democratic Party.”
Rodriguez rejected the characterization, citing his family’s experience in Cuba and his belief in capitalism and free enterprise.
“I am far from that. I am the product of capitalism, free enterprise and hard work,” Rodriguez said.
He explained that his parents came to the United States from Cuba and that his father’s family lost its business when the government confiscated it.
Rodriguez said that experience gave him a personal understanding of the consequences of communism and shaped his political views.
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Yvette Rodriguez, one of the owners of CAO Bakery, who hosted Rodriguez’s event, told NBC6 the economy has impacted her business. The bakery owner said the tariffs have caused third party companies to increase their prices, trickling down to more expensive paper goods like cups, which forced her to hike coffee prices.
NBC6 brought the bakery owner’s concerns to Salazar. The incumbent defended the Republican economic record, acknowledging that some voters remain dissatisfied with the economy while arguing that returning Democrats to power would risk a return to the inflation she claimed was experienced under former President Joe Biden.
“I understand the economy is not where you want it to be,” Salazar said. She went on to criticize the Biden administration’s economic policies and urged voters to continue on the current course rather than “flip back” to Democratic leadership.
Political analysts say Jeffries’ visit is a clear indication that national Democrats see an opportunity to make the district competitive. The Red to Blue program is designed to help promising candidates in targeted races through additional party resources and support.
The race also raises questions about whether national Republicans will increase their involvement in support of Salazar.
Asked whether she would welcome a visit from a prominent Republican, such as President Donald Trump, Salazar said everyone was welcome in her district.
The president is expected to campaign on the west coast of Florida next week, but there is no mention of whether he will visit South Florida.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, is encouraging voters to participate in early voting, which is scheduled to begin Monday.
With both campaigns emphasizing the economy and sharply contrasting their views on immigration and ideology, Florida’s 27th Congressional District is emerging as a closely watched contest in the fight for control of the House, where if Democrats take control, Jeffries could become speaker.
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