Everyone watches Eliott, while Robin Peguero builds momentum
In Miami politics, there’s always the candidate everyone expects to win.
And then there’s the one quietly raising money, stacking endorsements, and daring the establishment to notice.
Right now in the crowded Congressional District 27 race, most of the chatter is about Eliott Rodriguez — the veteran TV anchor 
turned candidate who just had a fancy Coral Gables fundraiser that had a lot of the right people in the room.
The kind of event that signals: this is the one.
But while the spotlight was fixed on the chandeliers and the guest list, another campaign was busy doing something less flashy — and potentially more dangerous.
Robin Peguero reported that he just crossed $820,000 raised, with more than $340,000 in a single quarter, no corporate PAC money, no self-funding, and over 6,000 individual donors.
Read related: Eliott Rodriguez’s own poll shows early primary lead in his congressional bid
That’s not a fluke. That’s infrastructure. And it’s motivational –just like the recent Democratic wins in the Sunshine State.
“We’re seeing across the country that the American people are looking for new and energetic leadership, and that momentum is on our side,” Peguero said in a statement. “Right here in Florida, Democrats were able to flip two deep red seats, including Donald Trump’s home district.
“The path to flipping the House runs through Miami, and I’m ready to take on María Elvira Salazar come November.”
And whether the Rodriguez campaign wants to admit it or not, Peguero is starting to look less like a long shot and more like a 
potential problem for them.
Everyone in Eliott’s circles expects an easy victory: A familiar face + a known quantity = a smooth glide through the Democratic primary to take on María Elvira Salazar in November.
Instead, what’s emerging is something messier.
Peguero isn’t running as the polished, TV-ready candidate. He’s running as the prosecutor, the investigator, the guy who talks about flipping the House like it actually runs through Miami — which, to be fair, it might.
Read related: Robin Peguero’s slow burn could turn into real heat for 2026 CD27 primary
And he’s backing that up with endorsements that aren’t exactly lightweight:
- Congressional Hispanic Caucus BOLD PAC
- Congressional Black Caucus PAC
- Latino Victory Fund
- Congresswoman Lois Frankel
- Congresswoman and Cabinet Secretary Donna Shalala
State Representative Ashley Gantt- Dr. Marvin Dunn, civil rights historian and leader
- Ira Leesfield, attorney and community leader
- Johnny G. Farias, Miami-Dade Community Council member
- Venusmia Fernandez Lovely, Miami-Dade Community Councilmember
- Katy Sorenson, former Miami-Dade Commissioner
- Charles Dusseau, former Miami-Dade Commissioner & Florida Secretary of Commerce
- Phil Stoddard, former South Miami Mayor
- Former State Rep. Annie Betancourt
- Former State Rep. J.C. Planas
- Former State Rep. Daisy Baez
- Miami-Dade School Board Member and former State Rep. Joe Geller
- Former Key Biscayne Mayor Mike Davey (who lost a bid for CD27 in 2024 and dropped out this year to support Peguero)
- Former Pinecrest Vice Mayor James McDonald
- Former Key Biscayne Vice Mayor Allison McCormick
- Coral Gables Commissioner Melissa Castro
- Cutler Bay Council Member B.J. Duncan
- Key Biscayne Council Member Frank Caplan
That’s not just support. That’s coalition-building. And in a Democratic primary, coalitions win.
Still, let’s not get carried away.
CD 27 is not an easy district. Salazar won her last race by 21 points, and Democrats have been chasing that seat like it’s perpetually “in play” — until Election Day says otherwise.
And inside the primary, Peguero isn’t just up against Rodriguez. There’s also environmental entrepreneur Richard Lamondin and, unknown 
accountant named Alexander Fornino and, because this is Miami, ex-con, ex-Trump man Lev Parnas, who has decided to jump into the race and bring his own brand of chaos with him. So yes, it’s crowded.
Read related: Ex-Trump man, ex-con Lev Parnas could jump into Congressional District 27 race
Also, yes, Rodriguez still has the name recognition. And, yes, the insiders are still leaning in his direction.
But here’s the thing about Miami politics: the race everyone thinks is settled rarely is. Because while one candidate is working the room, another is working the numbers. And right now, Robin Peguero has numbers that are getting harder to ignore.
The real question isn’t whether he can raise money. He already has. It’s whether that money translates into votes in August — and whether Democratic voters in CD 27 are looking for a familiar face or something entirely different.
Either way, one thing is clear: This primary isn’t as predictable as it looked a week ago.
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This may be hopelessly naive, but I’m not impressed by a centrist, corporate Democrat who’s a former prosecutor, talks like Biden about “reaching across the aisle”, and has endorsements from people like the corrupt Donna Shalala.
I wanna see some Mamdani-style candidates in Florida. That’s who I would support.
Damian Stephens comment above is 100% accurate. What’s a retired news anchor bring to the table with experience? He can read from a teleprompter because he read scripts on TV? Robin Peguero has the credentials and background Miami needs to fight for us and WIN. He is perfectly positioned for what democracy NEEDS as the people’s representative. Rodriguez has neither the legal, political experience nor does he represent change … Rodriguez is the same old/same old tired story: a wealthy old white Cuban guy with connections vs. someone youthful with experience & a coalition behind him. Robin represents vigor, stamina & CHANGE along with a commitment to working for others as he has his entire adult life. Katy Sorenson lived, breathed & represented this district as one of the very few principled county commissioners we’ve ever had the good fortune to elect. Katy’s endorsement of Robin is stronger than all the unknown monied wanna be’s backing Elliott. If we want ethics & an experience fighting for us in Congress ROBIN PEGUERO is who to cast your vote for!
” I would prefer Elliot Rodriguez but anyone but Maria Elvira Salazar. She does not stand for her district. Too much Cuba and Venezuela in her rhetoric and not enough Miami and Coral Gables.”
How true that is but that is what works in Miami , I’m in Doral and city meetings are about Venezuela not about street lines which are faded / gone , and countless other issues these self serving parasite politicians know that no need to do a thing as long as they discuss Latin America.
The problem for Robin is a lot of that big money support comes from advantage Medicare scammers parading as immigrant advocates. A vote for Robin is a vote against Medicare and Medicaid.
What I like about Robin is that he has already worked in Congress. He will hit the ground running as we need him to do.
What this long list of supporters shows is that Robin Peguero impresses everyone he meets. We need someone ready to lead, not someone looking for attention or needing a hobby.
Robin’s endorsement list is full of losers. Daisy Baez, the one who lost her seat after being arrested for lying on a sworn document. Jc planas who got destroyed by Alina Garcia. A ton of misfits and losers.
Robin Peguero will win because he has the credentials to be a Congressman!!! Can’t wait!
Robin is the best candidate for this moment.
Okay… But how about the ISSUES? Any new ideas, fixes, anything other than us versus them because who knows what and just more corruption? What are each of them proposing to make life for residents better or are they nothing more than empty promises, again…, or is there a chance they’ll actually deliver? I hope it’s more than just the usual bipartisan divisiveness and partisan insanity like open borders and more crime and taxpayer fraud and government waste…. Let’s fix it.
Robin helped prosecute Jan 6 insurrectionists, and will fight to bring justice to Washington!
If you think the country is on the right track then this comment isn’t for you. Robin Peguero is what We the People need representing us in congress. No more country-destroying MAGA politicians or retired TV personalities. We need a serious experienced leader that will go to DC and use his skills NOT learn the skills. As a former J6 prosecutor Robin knows DC and from day one will be working hard for all of us. It’s time for change.
Robin has the experience we need in CD-27. We don’t need another TV personality, we need a young, experienced person who understands the law representing us.
I am comfortable with either one. I would prefer Elliot Rodriguez but anyone but Maria Elvira Salazar. She does not stand for her district. Too much Cuba and Venezuela in her rhetoric and not enough Miami and Coral Gables. She is too busy with outside issues and not involved in our issues. We need someone who will take care of what is affecting us.
Robin Peguero has my vote!
Robin Peguero is a fighter, ready to confront Salazar!! That is what need to happen to beat the trumpist Republicans.