Union rally targets Salazar in Little Havana days before vote

A local union group held a rally in Little Havana on Thursday to mobilize Cuban and Venezuelan voters ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. The event targeted U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, who faces former CBS Miami anchor Eliott Rodriguez in the race for Florida's 27th congressional district. Organizers accused the Republican congresswoman of abandoning her immigrant and working-class constituents.

The district covers Miami, Coral Gables, Palmetto Bay, and Cutler Bay. Nearly three-quarters of residents identify as Latino. The non-partisan Cook Political Report currently lists Salazar as the favorite to win, though it now describes the race as competitive after previously labeling it a safe Republican seat.

Speakers at the rally, organized by UNITE HERE Local 355, criticized Salazar’s legislative record on federal spending, social safety net programs, and immigration enforcement. They cited the high cost of living in Miami, which has made the metro area one of the least affordable in the nation. Martha Cabrera, a district resident for 17 years and former Republican registrant, said she switched to Non-Party Affiliated after feeling deceived by Salazar's promises.

“I have been living in District 27 for the past 17 years, and I was once registered as a Republican. Today, I feel betrayed and disappointed by Maria Elvira Salazar,” Cabrera said. “She promised to help our immigrant community, but it’s all been lies. She supported giving $75 billion dollars to ICE to deport us and to commit crimes against us.”

Organizers pointed to Salazar’s vote to appropriate $75 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and her support for cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. SNAP serves 17% of households in the district. Last year, Salazar voted with the Republican-led Congress to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. That legislation extended 2017 tax cuts and increased ICE funding ten-fold, making it the most funded federal law agency in the country.

The rally also addressed recent reports on harsh conditions in South Florida detention facilities and policies that have transported undocumented Cuban migrants to third countries, including Africa, without due process. Ana Sofia Pelaez, Executive Director of Miami Freedom Project, stated that Salazar’s legislative record contradicts her public image as a compassionate advocate for immigrants. Maikol Rodriguez, a Venezuelan worker and union member, said immigrants should not live in fear of the government after fleeing dictatorship.

UNITE HERE Local 355 leaders said they have knocked on more than 40,000 doors to target Cuban and Venezuelan households. Their campaign message is "Adios, Salazar!" Last month, Salazar aired a campaign ad criticizing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies as going too far. In the ad, recorded in front of the White House, she noted that 50% of the 50,000 people detained in July had no criminal record and urged the president to give immigrants a dignified life.

The contest has drawn national media attention due to the high profile of both candidates. Rodriguez, a Democrat, is challenging Salazar for the seat she has held since 2019. The outcome will determine the party control of a key district in Miami-Dade County.