Elections: Salazar Unseats Incumbent Shalala In District 27 Upset

Updated 12:06 a.m.: Republican Maria Elvira Salazar has unseated incumbent Democrat Rep. Donna Shalala in the District 27 congressional race, the Miami Herald has reported. Though the results are still unofficial, the former television journalist won in an upset that neither candidate expected, reports said.

With all precincts reporting their results, Salazar earned 175,081 votes, while Shalala received 165,456 votes so far.

In a livestream on her Facebook page, Salazar can be heard telling her supporters that she plans to "represent the spirit of this district, the ultimate melting pot."

She also said she wouldn't be afraid to speak her mind.

"I will not be silenced. I will not cower to the mob and when faced with the so-called Democratic Socialists, I will tell them that we have seen their dogma in action already and it does not work," she said.

In an emailed statement, Shalala wrote, “I want to congratulate my opponent. It has been a spirited campaign. It has been a great honor to represent the people of Miami-Dade. I have fought for issues that matter most to our families, from access to affordable healthcare, to tackling climate change, to justice for all and a better future for our children. I will continue to demand our leaders follow the advice of our world-class scientists and public health leaders to crush the virus and rebuild our economy.”

In other congressional races, Democrats Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Frederica Wilson retained their seats in Districts 23 and 24, respectively. And former Miami-Dade County mayor Carlos Gimenez will represent District 26.

For a breakdown of voting in these races, read below.

Updated 11:50 p.m.: With 864 of 866 precincts reporting, Biden leads with 613,086 votes to Trump's 529,716 so far.

Updated 10:08 p.m.: Daniella Levine Cava has claimed Miami-Dade County's mayoral race after Esteban Bovo conceded, WSVN 7News Miami reported. Though the results are unofficial, it looks as though she'll be the first woman to serve as the county's mayor.

Levine Cava congratulated her opponent, who she said called her around 8:30 p.m. to concede, for running "a very strong campaign."

According to WSVN, she said, "We’ve been colleagues on the commission for six years. I greatly admire your passion and commitment to our community, and I look forward to working with you as we take on some of the biggest challenges this community has ever faced.”

With 836 of 860 precincts reporting, Levine Cava leads with 572,576 votes to Bovo's 489,017.

Levine Cava thanked her supported on Twitter.

"Tonight, we made history together," she wrote. "There’s no place in the world like Miami-Dade. I’m honored to be the next Mayor of such a vibrant and special place."

Updated: 9:30 p.m.: With 818 of 866 precincts reporting, Biden leads with 610,470 votes to Trump's 526,502 so far.

Updated 8:56 p.m.: With 864 of 866 precincts reporting, Joe Biden leads Donald J. Trump in Miami-Dade County. The Democratic nominee has 597,776 votes, while Trump has 511,487.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FL — The polls closed at 7 p.m. on Election Day in Miami-Dade County. Now, voters await the outcome of both the presidential and local races.

More than one million people voted early in Miami-Dade, Florida's most populous county, according to election officials. The first results were expected to be released around 7:15 p.m.

Voter turnout has been “remarkable” this year, said Monica Skoko Rodriguez, president of the League Woman Voters of Miami-Dade and executive director of Miami-Dade County Commission of Women. There's been a high number of vote-by-mail returns and early voting in person.

Officials expect that 80 percent of eligible Miami-Dade County voters will turn out by the time polls close on Tuesday, said Robert Rodriguez, assistant deputy supervisor of elections. Usually, turnout caps at about 72 percent during presidential elections.

The county was on pace to hit these numbers, he added. As of Sunday, 61 percent of voters — or 956,931 people — had voted. There are 1.56 million registered voters in Miami-Dade.

Return to Patch for tonight's local election results: Subscribe to free News Alerts.

Here’s a list of some key races in Miami-Dade County.

Representative in Congress, District 23

Updated 11:52 p.m.: With all precincts reporting, Wasserman Schultz holds a narrow lead with 17,191 votes. Spalding has 16,901 votes.

Republican Carla Spalding and Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz are vying for the congressional seat in District 23.

Representative in Congress, District 24

Updated 11:52 p.m.: With all precincts reporting, Wilson leads with 192,723 votes. Spicer has 48,521 votes and Olivo has received 9,931 votes.

Republican Lavern Spicer, Democrat Frederica Wilson and Independent Christine Alexandria Olivo are vying for the congressional seat in District 24.

Representative in Congress, District 26

Updated 11:53 p.m.: With all precincts reporting, Gimenez leads this race with 150,921votes. Mucarsel-Powell has 143,036 votes so far.

Republican Carlos Gimenez and Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell are vying for the congressional seat in District 26.

Representative in Congress, District 27

Updated 11:53 p.m.: With all precincts reporting, Salazar is leading the race with 175,081 votes. Shalala has received 165,456 votes so far.

Republican Maria Elvira Salazar and Democrat Donna Shalala are vying for the congressional seat in District 27.

Miami-Dade County Commission, Mayoral Run-off

Updated 11:56 p.m.: With all precincts reporting, Levine Cava leads with 572,887 votes. So far, Bovo has 489,473 votes.

Esteban L. Bovo and Daniella Levine Cava vie for the role of mayor of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners. Learn more about these candidates here.

Constitutional Amendments

Updated 11:58 p.m.: With 858 of 860 precincts reporting:

• 814,858 voted yes for Amendment 1, while 240,874 voted no.
• 747,292 voted yes for Amendment 2, while 312,395 voted no.
• 601,639 voted yes for Amendment 3, while 431,865 voted no.
• 469,784 voted yes for Amendment 4, while 574,786 voted no.
• 772,737 voted yes for Amendment 5, while 266,140 voted no.
• 952,642 voted yes for Amendment 6, while 106,928 voted no.

Voters also decided on the fate of six amendments to Florida’s constitution. Here are the amendments voters considered:

Amendment 1: Provides that only U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old, a permanent resident of Florida and registered to vote may vote in a Florida election.

Amendment 2: Raises Florida’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2026.

Amendment 3: Allows all registered voters to vote in primaries for state legislature, governor and cabinet regardless of political party affiliation.

Amendment 4: Requires proposed amendments or revisions to Florida’s constitution be approved in two elections.

Amendment 5: Increase the period of time accrued Save-Our-Homes benefits may be transferred from a prior homestead to a new homestead from two to three years.

Amendment 6: Allows a homestead property tax discount to be transferred to the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran.