Miami
FLORIDA Eliott Rodriguez outraised María Elvira Salazar in the third quarter, but the incumbent keeps a cash edge
The Democrat brought in more than $723,000 from July through September in Florida’s 27th Congressional District race. Florida Politics reported that the Republican incumbent spent more during the quarter and entered October with a much larger war chest.
Eliott Rodriguez, the Democratic candidate in Florida’s 27th Congressional District, stepped up his fundraising in the third quarter and collected more than $723,000 between July and September, according to Florida Politics. Republican incumbent María Elvira Salazar raised $418,000 over the same period.
Florida Politics reported that despite trailing in quarterly fundraising, Salazar kept a substantial financial advantage. Rodriguez spent more than $488,000 in the quarter and had $679,400 on hand heading into the final stretch of the race, after raising $1.34 million since launching his bid in March. Salazar has raised $2.4 million this cycle, spent $677,000 in the third quarter and entered October with $2 million cash on hand. Her campaign also listed a $14,300 debt tied to a disputed consulting invoice with Texas-based Raider Fundraising.
Among Rodriguez’s top donors, Florida Politics cited maximum $7,000 contributions from Dakota Badia, treasurer of Badia Spices, and physician William Harris. The outlet also listed $3,500 donations from Joshua Bekenstein and Anita Bekenstein, along with contributions from Democratic figures, consultants and public names including Chris Korge, Joe Arriola, Rory Gates, Javier Fernández, Oliver Gilbert, Alex Vindman and Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Rodriguez also received support from PACs linked to Ban Assault Weapons Now and the Service Employees International Union.
According to the outlet, much of Rodriguez’s spending went to digital services, campaign mail, texting, video production and political consulting. Some of the largest payments went to Lever Communications, The Donner Group and Bendixen & Amandi International.
For Salazar, Florida Politics said she received more than 130 contributions during the quarter. They included $5,000 personal checks from Isaac Perez and former U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, as well as donations from other individual contributors and more than a dozen PACs tied to fellow Republicans. The outlet highlighted contributions connected to lawmakers including Michael Baumgartner, Nick Begich, Ron Estes, Bill Cassidy, Jack Bergman, Mario Díaz-Balart, Gabe Evans, Virginia Foxx, Mike Haridopolos and French Hill.
Salazar’s campaign spent on media placement, advertising, printing, field operations, polling and strategy. Florida Politics detailed significant payments to Eikon, The Factor, Community Newspapers, Smart Voters USA and Bridge US Group.
The race in the 27th District pits two Cuban American former television news anchors against each other. Florida Politics noted that forecasters including Fox News, Sabato’s Crystal Ball and Cook Political Report recently moved the seat from a stronger Republican position to a more competitive category. A Bendixen & Amandi International poll commissioned by Rodriguez’s campaign also found a 45% tie after leaning undecided voters, and a 47% to 40% Rodriguez lead after respondents were given descriptions of the candidates and their records.
The 27th District includes Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Key Biscayne, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, South Miami, West Miami and Miami neighborhoods south of the Dolphin Expressway. Election Day is scheduled for Nov. 3.
Sources
About this piece. Written by El Notero with AI assistance, from reporting published by the outlet cited above. El Notero did no original reporting on this story.
