Eliott Rodriguez sues Alina García and María Elvira Salazar

Eliott Rodriguez Lawsuit Challenges Alina Garcia Over Recount Oversight

South Florida Democratic congressional candidate Eliott Rodriguez filed a federal lawsuit against Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections Alina García on Friday, seeking to bar her from the county canvassing board as a razor-thin recount unfolds in the 27th Congressional District, NBC News reported. Incumbent Republican Rep. María Elvira Salazar is named alongside García in the legal complaint.

Salazar led Rodriguez by 1,103 votes—or 0.44 percentage points—as of Thursday evening. Florida law mandates automatic recounts when margins fall below 0.5 points, placing oversight directly in the hands of the county canvassing board.

Family Ties and Election Night Statements Spark Recusal Demands

The Rodriguez campaign demanded Thursday that García step away from the recount board. The complaint alleges that Robert Fernández, the attorney representing Salazar in the recount, is García’s son-in-law. The campaign requested immediate confirmation of the relationship, citing severe ethical conflicts.

Rodriguez’s legal challenge also highlights an election night interview García gave to The Miami Herald. García stated that Salazar was the winner “with or without a recount” and remarked that recounts almost never alter the outcome.

Juan-Carlos Planas, general counsel for the Miami-Dade Democratic Executive Committee, criticized the dynamic. Planas argued that because the canvassing board functions as a quasi-judicial body, García should recuse herself just as a judge would when litigants hire relatives.

Supervisor of Elections Refuses to Step Down From Canvassing Board

García issued a press release rejecting calls for her recusal. She stated that she was elected by voters to perform her official duties, maintaining that nothing disqualifies her from serving on the canvassing board.

I have not recused myself, nor will I, García stated.

García, a Republican who served in the Florida state House before winning the newly elected supervisor of elections post in 2024, has previously appeared in photographs with high-profile Republican figures, including President Donald Trump and Salazar.

Salazar Dismisses Challenge as Political Posturing

Salazar’s office did not respond to requests for comment from reporters. However, the incumbent congresswoman addressed the dispute on social media Thursday night.

My opponent is behaving like an election denier, attempting to turn this process into a political circus because he does not like election outcome, Salazar posted on X.

Salazar secured three consecutive terms representing the heavily Hispanic 27th Congressional District and won the seat comfortably during the 2024 election cycle alongside Trump. Political analysts initially viewed the district as safe, though it shifted 14.26 points toward Democrats compared to the presidential contest.

Florida Law Mandates Recount for Tight Congressional Margin

Why does Florida law require a recount in this congressional race?

Florida law mandates an automatic recount when the margin between candidates falls below 0.5 percentage points. In the 27th Congressional District race, Salazar led Rodriguez by 0.44 percentage points as of Thursday evening.

Who oversees the vote recount process in Miami-Dade County?

The county canvassing board oversees the recount process. Supervisor of Elections Alina García sits on this board, which is the focus of the federal lawsuit filed by the Rodriguez campaign.

What specific relationship prompted the conflict of interest allegations?

The Rodriguez campaign alleged in its complaint that Robert Fernández, the attorney representing Salazar in the recount proceedings, is the son-in-law of Supervisor of Elections Alina García.