Rodriguez Camp Sues Doral Elections Chief Over Florida 27th District Recount
The challenger claims the supervisor's family ties to the incumbent's lawyer and public comments compromise the neutrality of the vote count.
By Lorenzo Patterson ·
A recount for Florida's 27th Congressional District will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 9. The vote count will take place at the Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections headquarters in Doral. This action follows a pending lawsuit filed by the campaign of Democrat Eliott Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar. Salazar has held the seat since 2021. The district covers parts of Miami, Coral Gables, Kendall, Key Biscayne, and Pinecrest. The recount is ordered by the Florida Secretary of State. Alina Garcia, the supervisor of elections for Miami-Dade County, will serve on the three-person canvassing board.
The Rodriguez campaign filed a lawsuit asking Garcia to remove herself from the process. The suit argues that her public statements and personal connections create a conflict of interest. The campaign points to comments Garcia made on election night. The Miami Herald reported she said, "María Elvira is the winner, with or without a recount."
The legal team asserts that an election official cannot prejudge an outcome before ballots are retabulated. They also identified a potential family link between Garcia and Salazar's legal counsel. Robert Fernandez, who represents Salazar during the recount, is reportedly Garcia's son-in-law. Alyn Fernandez, Garcia's daughter, is married to Robert Fernandez.
Attorney Jason B. Blank, representing Rodriguez, sent a letter to Oren Rosenthal, general counsel for the county elections department. The letter argues that if the family ties are confirmed, Garcia is barred from participating in decisions affecting a candidate represented by an immediate relative. Blank stated that the relationship presents a serious conflict of interest.
Fernandez responded to the claims by saying the process is open to observers. He stated that his role does not create a conflict. Garcia addressed the issue during a phone call with CBS News Miami. She said, "I don't know, he could be. He does practice election law."
Garcia also rejected the idea that a photograph with Salazar indicated political favoritism. The photo was taken during a visit to Washington in May 2025. Garcia told reporters, "I take pictures with whoever asks me for a picture." She maintained that there is no conflict of interest.
In a statement shared on Sunday afternoon, Rodriguez said he welcomes the recount. He stated that he will respect the will of the voters once the final results are certified. The recount will determine the final winner of the race in the district that includes much of Miami-Dade County.
