María Corina Machado endorses María Elvira Salazar's reelection bid in Florida's 27th District

October 9, 2026

Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado has publicly endorsed Cuban-American Republican Rep. María Elvira Salazar, who is seeking a fourth term in Florida's 27th Congressional District on November 3. Salazar faces Democrat Eliott Rodriguez, also Cuban-American and a former TV news anchor.

In a video released Wednesday, October 7, Machado said she wanted to "recognize and express our support for María Elvira Salazar," calling her "a firm and loyal ally to the cause of Venezuela's freedom." Salazar said she was "deeply grateful" for the support, Florida Politics reported. The environmental group Everglades Trust also endorsed her.

The endorsement drew reactions from both sides. In a Telemundo 51 debate, Republican analyst Andrés Malavé welcomed it, while Democratic analyst Marco Frieri tied it to Machado's need to keep allies in Washington. Former Democratic Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell warned that the move "risks undermining the bipartisan coalition" that has backed Venezuela, and political scientist Orlando J. Pérez noted that Rodriguez has also supported Venezuela's democratic cause, El Tiempo reported.

The race looks close: a September Tulchin Research poll had Salazar at 47% and Rodriguez at 46%, and Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball rate it "Lean Republican." Salazar won her last reelection by 21 points.