With an ad aimed at Trump, this Republican exposed GOP angst about Latino voters

Republican Rep. María Elvira Salazar of Florida is breaking with President Trump over immigration, and her Miami-area district shows why the issue worries the GOP. Latino voters were central to Republican victories in 2024, when Trump narrowed the Democratic advantage among them nationally to three points from 25 four years before, according to Pew Research Center. Now deportations and living costs are eroding that support, according to NPR.

Salazar, a Cuban American in her third term, appeared in a commercial shot outside the White House last month. In it she told Trump he had "gone too far" and said Hispanics who backed him now feel betrayed. Trump responded by sharing a social media post that labeled her a back stabber. Salazar told NPR she took no offense and later explained to him what constituents are feeling. Equis Research surveyed Hispanic registered voters and found a 57 to 31 preference for Democratic congressional candidates.

In the district, more than 70% Latino, voters are split. Democrat Eliott Rodriguez, a former broadcast journalist with Cuban roots, is challenging her, though Democratic voter Ricardo Carracedo calls her shift too late. Cook Political Report rates the race lean Republican.

Summarized by PolitiKool from NPR’s reporting. Read the full story at NPR →