Former CBS News Miami anchor Eliott Rodriguez says he’s nearing a final decision on a Democratic run for Florida’s 27th Congressional District, a move that could transform a seat currently rated as non-competitive into a high-stakes battleground for control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Rodriguez signaled his potential entry into the race during the 20th annual Rib-Off, where anchorman was serving as a judge of two dozen teams competing in acharity fundraiser

The gathering took on an added political weight as U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson made a visit to the event while in town for the National Republican Congressional Committee’s winter meeting, which was held at the nearby Ritz-Carlton.

Also visiting the two dozen teams at the Rib-Off: former Rep. David Jolly, who is hoping to capture the Democratic nomination for governor.

Rodriguez, who retired in December after 25 years at CBS, identified immigration and economic anxiety as the pillars of his potential platform. He described current immigration trends as “a policy of cruelty”.

He spoke about his future — and being a Rib-Off judge — on the Anti-Social podcast. 

“The number one driving issue for me is the treatment of immigrants in this country, because we live in a very diverse community,” Rodriguez said.

A son of Cuban immigrants who arrived in the 1950s, Rodriguez emphasized his personal connection to the South Florida immigrant experience. “I’m what you would consider birthright citizenship,” he said. “I always said if I write a book, the title of the book would be from ‘Anchor Baby to Anchor Man”.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club during the 20th Rib-Off, Feb. 28, 2026 (Mike Davey via KBI)

The 27th District, currently held by Republican Maria Elvira Salazar, has been viewed by national political analysts as a safe Republican seat. However, Rodriguez’s name recognition could shift that narrative. If Rodriguez jumps into the race “,it’s going to change the whole aspect of the way it’s looked at nationally,” opined Tony Winton, a co-host of the program. 

Salazar was also a TV anchor for Univision and Telemundo before running for Congress.

Rodriguez also took aim at the rising cost of living in South Florida, arguing Salzar is too focused on international politics rather than local kitchen-table issues. He listed his primary concerns as “affordability, the cost of housing, rental, health insurance, the cost of groceries when you go to the supermarket, the cost of gas”.

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The affordability crisis, he noted, has forced his own family to look elsewhere. “My daughters have had to move away from South Florida because they can’t afford to live here,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez cited his deep roots in the district, which he has called home since the 1960s, as a primary qualification. “I lived in Coconut Grove, Kendall, Key Biscayne, Coral Gables and now Brickell,” Rodriguez said. “So this is a district that I know and love.”

While acknowledging the “shark infested” nature of a modern political campaign, Rodriguez said a sense of civic duty is driving his decision.

“If I don’t do anything, I may find it hard to live with myself later on, so that’s why I’m doing it,” Rodriguez said.

A formal announcement is expected “very soon” to allow for organization ahead of the primary and the November general election.

“Miami’s home,” Rodriguez added.

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