Donors in Miami Congressional race last quarter included a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Real Housewife

A Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a Real Housewives of Miami cast member, and numerous political power players appeared on campaign finance reports in Florida’s 27th Congressional District last quarter as the closely watched race further took shape.

Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar led the field in total fundraising, bringing in $451,100 during the first quarter of 2026. But more than half of that haul came through transfers from joint fundraising committees with which she is affiliated, rather than direct contributions.

On the Democratic side, former federal prosecutor Robin Peguero raised $342,600, narrowly edging out longtime TV anchor Eliott Rodriguez, who pulled in $312,000 despite entering the race with less than a month left in the quarter — a sign the Primary contest may tighten quickly.

CD 27, one of three Florida districts that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has highlighted as “in play,” covers Miami, Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Key Biscayne, Pinecrest, North Bay Village, South Miami, West Miami and several unincorporated areas.

Salazar has held the seat since January 2021.

Republican Primary

Salazar’s fundraising strength remains formidable. She has now raised $1.4 million this cycle and held $1.93 million at the end of March after spending $227,800 between Jan. 1 and March 31.

Her campaign also listed a disputed $14,300 invoice for consulting from Texas-based Raider Fundraising.

Her biggest gains came from joint fundraising committees, including $240,580 from the Salazar Victory Committee. Significantly smaller transfers came from American Battleground Fund and GOP Winning Women.

She also drew maxed-out $7,000 contributions from Miami-Dade attorneys Richard Diaz and James Meyer and Fort Lauderdale broadcaster Sima Birach Jr.

PAC support remained strong, with SpaceX PAC and Valor PAC each giving $10,000. Several others — including UBS Americas, Crowley Maritime, Engineers PAC and SEAL PAC — contributed $5,000 apiece.

Salazar’s spending was led by $50,000 to Miami-based Lumina Counsel Group for political consulting and $40,000 to Smart Voters USA for grassroots and field work. She also spent $32,750 on digital communications consulting and $28,000 on accounting, with the remainder covering routine campaign expenses.

Her lone Republican challenger, Vincent Arias, raised $28,485 and supplemented his campaign with a $99,000 personal loan.

He spent $27,580 and ended the quarter with $99,905 on hand.

Arias relied heavily on family support, with three relatives each contributing $3,500. Other donors included engineer Enrique Miguel Cortinas ($3,482), philanthropist Lydia Touzet ($2,082) and developer J. Carlos Zequeira ($1,000).

His spending was modest but consultant-heavy, led by $13,500 to Miami-based Dark Horse Strategies. He also spent more than $6,200 on digital tools and about $2,100 on events, along with smaller amounts for staffing, printing and radio ads.

Democratic Primary

Peguero, who entered the race last July, reported raising $821,800 this cycle and having $463,200 on hand after spending $128,000 in Q1.

His fundraising last quarter was overwhelmingly grassroots, with just $1,500 coming from PACs and more than 80% of donors listing Florida addresses.

Notable contributors included Eagles co-founder and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Don Henley, who gave $3,500, and trial lawyer Michael Haggard, who chipped in $4,500. Peguero also got $1,000 from News Corp executive Antionette Bush and former U.S. Attorney Willy Ferrer.

Other recognizable names included former Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber and New World Symphony CEO Howard Herring, who gave $500 each, and former U.S. Ambassador Mark Gitenstein and U.S. House press secretary Evan Gilbert, who gave $250 apiece.

Peguero’s spending prioritized operations, including nearly $27,000 to Chicago-based Nineteen Sixty Campaigns for management, $14,000 to consultant Emely Sanchez and more than $20,000 in payroll and taxes.

He also paid over $12,800 in ActBlue processing fees.

Rodriguez, despite his later entry, posted a nearly comparable haul and ended March with $299,476 on hand after minimal spending of $12,527.

His donor list featured a mix of political heavyweights and local influencers, including maxed-out contributions from businessman Carlos Saladrigas, Badia Spices founder Joseph Badía and multiple executives from MBF Healthcare Partners.

He also received $3,000 from former American Bar Association President Stephen Zack, $2,500 from lobbyist Ron Book and $2,000 from Univision personality Raúl de Molina.

Former Real Housewives of Miami cast member Lea Black gave Rodriguez $1,500.

Additional donors included former Miami Beach Mayor Neisen Kasdin, who contributed $2,026; former state Rep. Mike Abrams, who gave $1,000; former University of Miami President Ana Mari Cauce, who wrote Rodriguez a $500 check; and former Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, who also contributed $500.

Alberto Imbarguen, a former publisher of the Miami Herald and ex-CEO of the Knight Foundation, gave $300. Consultant Fernand Amandi, who is working on Rodriguez’s campaign, and former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood each gave $250.

About 89% of Rodriguez’s donations came from Floridians.

His spending was limited, with $3,000 to GNB Collective for fundraising services, and the rest to processing fees.

Businessman Lev Parnas, a Donald Trump supporter-turned-critic and documentary subject, also jumped into the Democratic Primary late last month, reporting $27,336 raised and no spending.

His largest donations — two contributions of $3,500 — came from a Boynton Beach physician and a California retiree.

Like Rodriguez, he reported no PAC support.

Another Democratic candidate, Richard Lamondin, dropped out of the CD 27 contest early this month to instead run for a state Senate seat.

Candidates faced a Wednesday deadline to report all campaign finance activity through March 31.