Maria Elvira Salazar's Miami seat becomes competitive after immigration criticism

The race for Florida’s 27th Congressional District has become less certain after Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar broke with President Donald Trump over immigration enforcement, prompting Sabato’s Crystal Ball to downgrade the district’s rating to "lean Republican." Salazar, who previously outperformed Trump by more than 20 points, released a White House-shot advertisement criticizing the administration’s harsh immigration tactics and has supported the Dignity Act.

Her opponent, former a anchor at one outlet, is a well-known local figure and is considered a serious contender. The Center for Politics noted that the district’s large Cuban-American electorate could shift away from Republicans, especially given Salazar’s recent stance. Meanwhile, Sabato’s Crystal Ball also adjusted Texas’s 9th District, a newly drawn, majority-Latino seat, from "safe Republican" to "likely Republican," reflecting broader uncertainties in GOP-targeted districts.