Politics & Government
Election Upset: Salazar Defeats Incumbent Shalala In District 27
Wasserman Schultz, Wilson and Gimenez also won U.S. House seats in Miami-Dade County, based on unofficial results.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FL — Republican Maria Elvira Salazar has unseated incumbent Democrat Rep. Donna Shalala in the District 27 congressional race. 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 175,984 votes, while Shalala received 166,568 votes so far.
Shalala has served as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 27th congressional district since 2019.
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In a livestream on her Facebook page Tuesday night, 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.
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"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, incumbent 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.
Wasserman Schultz holds a narrow lead over her opponent, Carla Spalding, with 17,282 votes. Spalding has 16,972 votes.
Meanwhile, with 193,864 votes, Wilson has a large lead over her opponents, Republican Lavern Spicer and Independent Christine Alexandria Olivo. Spicer has received 48,942 votes, and Olivo has 10,063 votes.
Gimenez leads his opponent, incumbent Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, with 151,612 votes. Mucarsel-Powell has 143,936 votes so far.
Read more about statewide and local election results:
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