Democrats Claim Florida GOP Rep. Salazar Is In 'Panic' After Sharp Latino Voting Shift in Latest Elections

U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar is urging Republicans to adopt more Latino-friendly policies as Democrats accuse her of "panicking" over a sharp voter shift reflected in the latest election results.

Dems are specifically pointing at a two-minute video posted to X back on November 5 in which Salazar said Latinos "gave Republicans a chance for the first time ever last year," citing 55% of Hispanic men who backed the President Donald Trump in 2024. She warned that support is now reversing as affordability worsens and immigration enforcement grows more visible.

Salazar also argued that Latinos want "secure borders, a good economy" and the removal of criminals, but also "dignity" for long-time undocumented immigrants without criminal records—echoing her push for the Dignity Act, which would allow undocumented residents to earn legal status. She said GOP inaction contributed to losses in New Jersey and Virginia, claiming Hispanics "moved back more than 25 points to the Democratic Party."

Members of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said the blame lies with Salazar herself, accusing her of remaining silent while roughly 231,000 constituents faced soaring health insurance premiums, as Florida Politics reports. Dems also accused her of voting to push nearly 100,000 off health care while cutting SNAP benefits.

DCCC spokesperson Madison Andrus said Salazar "should spend less time screaming into her phone and more time looking in the mirror," arguing that results in New Jersey and Virginia offered "a glimpse into her own future."

Salazar has at times criticized the administration's approach to immigration. She has pressed the Department of Homeland Security to protect migrants who entered under former humanitarian parole programs, said she was "heartbroken" by the handling of asylum seekers, and urged the president not to deport Venezuelan TPS holders.

But Democrats say these warnings, while public, have not been matched with political pressure inside Congress.

Earlier this month, Salazar signed a bipartisan letter urging Senate leaders to act on expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits, warning that families are "facing drastic spikes." She also reintroduced the Dignity Act in July, though it has not received a committee hearing.

Three Democrats—Richard Lamondin, Robin Peguero, and Alex Fornino—are running to challenge her in 2026. Through September 30, Salazar has raised nearly $681,500 for her reelection bid.