Eliott Rodriguez
Eliott Rodriguez, 69, is a retired broadcast journalist who anchored at CBS News Miami for 25 years after nearly five decades in journalism; he was born in New York to Cuban immigrant parents. He left the station and announced his candidacy in March 2026, reported raising $312,000 in his first 21 days, and won the Aug. 18 Democratic primary with about 53.5% over former homicide prosecutor Robin Peguero. His campaign centers on affordability, protecting Social Security and Medicare, restoring health-care subsidies, opposing tariffs and opposing the Trump administration's immigration enforcement.
How they got on the ballot: Won Aug 18, 2026 Democratic primary with ~53.5% over Robin Peguero (CBS Miami; WLRN)
Positions on the major issues
Compare with opponents →Each entry describes what the candidate has said or done, and what they say they will do, in neutral terms with sources. The chip shows how that relates to the statement voters rate in the matching tool.
Immigration Leans disagree· stated position
Rodriguez campaigns against the Trump administration's deportation crackdown, saying in a January 2026 ad that 'secure borders matter, but so does due process and our constitution.' He also argues Salazar's Dignity Act fails to provide permanent legal pathways for Venezuelans, Haitians and Cubans.
"Yes, secure borders matter, but so does due process and our constitution."
Abortion Strongly agrees· stated position
Rodriguez campaigned on protecting abortion rights.
Health care Strongly agrees· stated position
Rodriguez says he would fight to restore expired Affordable Care Act subsidies, which he says Salazar voted to remove, and to lower prescription drug costs.
Social Security & Medicare Strongly agrees· stated position
Rodriguez identifies protecting Social Security and Medicare as key priorities and has tied Salazar to efforts to cut the programs; his position on additional revenue was not captured.
Environment & water Leans agree· stated position
Rodriguez campaigned on addressing climate change and safeguarding South Florida's environment; specific proposals were not captured.
Tariffs & trade Strongly disagrees· stated position
Rodriguez opposes the administration's tariffs, describing them as part of an 'anti-consumer agenda' that raises costs.
Trump administration Strongly disagrees· stated position
Rodriguez frames his campaign as a challenge to 'Salazar and the Trump Republicans,' opposing the administration's deportation crackdown and tariffs.
No public position found on 10 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Taxes & spending, Housing affordability, Guns, Education & school choice, Elections & voting, Crime & policing, Gender identity laws, Energy & utilities, Ukraine, Veterans. This is reported as unknown rather than guessed from party affiliation; these issues are excluded from this candidate's match score.
Other issues this candidate has raised
- Affordability — Rodriguez has made affordability (cost of living) a central campaign theme, per post-primary coverage.
- Prosecuting corruption — He lists prosecuting corruption among his campaign themes.
- Public education — His platform includes investing in public education.
- Cuba — The son of Cuban immigrants, he has discussed Cuba policy in interviews and was the first journalist to interview dissident Osvaldo Paya.
- Prescription drug costs — He says he would work to lower prescription costs.
Record: votes, actions and documented facts
- Anchored at CBS News Miami for 25 years before leaving to run in March 2026.
- Reported raising $312,000 in the first 21 days of his campaign.