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María Elvira Salazar

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Maria Elvira Salazar
Member-elect of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 27th district
Assuming office
January 3, 2021
SucceedingDonna Shalala
Personal details
Born (1961-11-01) November 1, 1961 (age 62)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Children2
EducationMiami Dade College
University of Miami (BA)
Harvard University (MPA)
WebsiteCampaign website

Maria Elvira Salazar (born November 1, 1961) is an American journalist and broadcast television anchor, who is the Representative-elect for Florida's 27th congressional district, having defeated incumbent Democrat Donna Shalala in the 2020 general election. She worked for the Spanish-language network Telemundo for three decades after serving as a news anchor for Miami-based Mega TV. She has also worked for CNN Español and Univision. She was the Republican nominee for Congress in 2018, losing to Shalala. Salazar won the 2020 rematch, receiving 51.4% to Shalala's 48.6%.

Early life and education

Salazar was born in Little Havana, Miami, the daughter of Cuban exiles.[1] She grew up bilingual, speaking both Spanish and English.[2] She spent part of her childhood in Puerto Rico.[3]

Salazar studied at the Deerborne School of Coral Gables and graduated from Miami Dade College.[citation needed] In 1983, Salazar earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications from the University of Miami, and in 1995, she earned a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.[4][5]

Journalism career

Her journalistic debut began in 1983 as a general assignment reporter for Channel 23.[6]

In 1984, she served as senior political correspondent for the National News in Spanish television in the U.S. for the Spanish International Network, which later became Univision. In 1988, she began working as a White House and Pentagon correspondent for Univision. In 1991, she became the bureau chief at the Central America division of Univision while covering the war at El Salvador.[7]

In 1993, she started working for the Telemundo Network, serving later as senior political correspondent for Telemundo in Cuba.[8] In 1995, she interviewed Fidel Castro for Telemundo at the Cuban mission to the UN. She is said to have been the only U.S. Spanish-language television journalist to interview Castro one-on-one.[9][10][11]

In 1996, she was one of the two Hispanic journalists that participated in the only political debate in the 50 years after the Cuban revolution between two politically active figures: Ricardo Alarcon, the president of the National Cuban Assembly, and Jorge Mas Canosa, the founder and president of the Cuban American National Foundation and one of the most famous supporters of the anti-Castro movement.[12]

Salazar spent three decades working at Telemundo[13][14] until 2002, when she left that TV station and continued her career as a journalist with America TV 41 with her own political news show Maria Elvira Confronta.[15] Later, in 2003, she moved to Channel 22.

In 2006, Raul Alarcon, owner of Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS), purchased channel 22, and the channel is now known as Mega TV. She then changed the name of the program to "Polo Opuestos" under the new owners. She maintained the debate dynamic of her show, but renamed it Maria Elvira Live!.[16][17]

She interviewed several actors of the telenovela Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord, including the imprisoned Escobar lieutenant John Jairo Velásquez.[18]

Salazar has said that after her interview with Fidel Castro, her second biggest television interview was with Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, in 2003.[19][20] This interview was cited by Chilean Judge Juan Guzman as a legal basis to rule Pinochet "mentally competent to stand trial for human rights violations".[21][22]

On 2013, Salazar interviewed Cuban dissident and blogger Yoani Sánchez in New York City.[23][24]

Salazar has interviewed several public figures, among them, presidents Bill Clinton (1999) and George W. Bush (2001), Mexican presidents Vicente Fox and Carlos Salinas de Gortari (2005), Spanish President José María Aznar (2007), Colombian President Alvaro Uribe (2008) and Juan Manuel Santos (2014),[25] and Mother Teresa.[citation needed]

In 2016, she came back to Mega TV[16] as the anchor of the night newscast.[26]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2018 general election

See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 27

The Miami Herald reported in January 2018 that retiring Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Republican who had represented the 27th congressional district since 1989, had met with Salazar. Ros-Lehtinen said that her district was "totally winnable for the right candidate" from the Republican Party, adding that Salazar "could be the right candidate."[27]

In March 2018, Salazar announced her candidacy to represent the district, which includes Miami Beach, most of Miami, Kendall, and parts of coastal south Dade County. This traditionally Republican district, that includes wealthy communities like Miami Beach, Key Biscayne and Coral Gables as well as Little Havana in Miami, has been trending Democratic in recent years.[28]

Salazar's Republican primary opponent, Dade County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro, criticized her for her 1995 interview with Fidel Castro, in which she referred to the Cuban dictator as a "comandante", as well as 2016 appearance on Fox News where she described Barack Obama's rapprochement with Cuba as "noble." Salazar called Barreiro's attack advertising "defamatory," and said that "I have been one of the staunchest, most hardest critics of the Cuban Revolution on the air."[29]

On August 28, 2018, Salazar won the Republican primary by a margin of about 15 points over her leading competitor, Bruno Barreiro.[30] Former Clinton cabinet member Donna Shalala won the Democratic nomination for the seat.[1] The only debates held during the general election were conducted in Spanish. Shalala does not speak Spanish and used an interpreter, giving Salazar an advantage. Each of the candidates declined opportunities to debate the other in English due to scheduling conflicts.[31] Although Hillary Clinton had won the district by almost 20 points in 2016 – Clinton's best showing in a Republican-held district – polling as late as a month out from Election Day showed Salazar either narrowly ahead or statistically tied with Shalala.[32] Salazar lost the general election to Shalala, who received about 52 percent of the vote.[33]

2020 general election

Main articles: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 27, Women in the United States House of Representatives, and List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress

In August 2019, Salazar announced her candidacy to run in a rematch against Shalala.[34] She was endorsed by President Donald Trump[35] and won the Republican primary in August 2020 and faced Shalala in the November general election.[36] The Cook Political Report as well as various polling firms incorrectly classified the seat as "Likely Democratic." Salazar won the seat, by a 51.4% to 48.6%, about a three percentage point margin of victory.[37][2] She became one of 19 new Republican women elected to the House of Representatives in the 2020 elections.[38][39][40] She is considered a rising star in the Republican Party.[41] Politico reported that Shalala attributed Salazar's strength to the potency of the socialism attacks among the Cuban population in Miami, aided by Shalala referring to herself as a "pragmatic socialist".[42] [43]

Tenure

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Political views

She joined Senator Marco Rubio in suggesting that birthright citizenship should be "reviewed," citing abuse of the law by foreign visitors to South Florida.[44]

Salazar publicly supported a carbon tax proposal by Rep. Carlos Curbelo, which many other Republicans rejected. One of Salazar's campaign commercials vowed to fight for environmental protection in Congress.[45]

On healthcare, Salazar said that she would only support repeal of the Affordable Care Act if a viable alternative were presented. She opposed repeal of the ACA's mandate that health insurers cover pre-existing conditions, but called for "free market" policies on health insurance.[46]

Portraying herself as a moderate Republican, Salazar said she wants to do "whatever makes sense to the community"; of President Donald Trump, Salazar said: "The president has used pretty insensitive words. I will talk to him in a nice, respectful way, because I do respect the institution of the presidency."[46]

Salazar said that she might back an assault weapons ban and citizenship for some undocumented immigrants.[47] She supports universal background checks.[48]

With regard to public safety, she declared herself a "firm believer in the Second Amendment," while also recognizing that "ways must be found to keep guns out of the reach of those who should never have them, namely children, criminals and the mentally ill". That is why it has supported criminal background checks and the effective closing of "loopholes that allow criminals to have access to firearms."

She has declared herself a "pro-life Christian mother," who opposes taxpayer funding for late-term abortions: "As a Christian and a mother, I believe in a culture that values and nurtures all life from birth to natural death. As your Congresswoman, I will protect the life of the unborn and also the life and health of the mother. I oppose tax-payer funding for late-term abortions... My votes will consistently protect life. We must oppose the culture of death."[49]

Salazar criticized President Barack Obama's policy of engagement with Cuba, saying that she would support lifting the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba once there is democracy in the country.[50]

She has heavily criticized Bernie Sanders for "his honeymoon in the Soviet Union" and "his praise for Nicaragua's and Cuba's socialist regimes".[51]

Electoral history

2018

Florida's 27th congressional district election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Donna Shalala 130,743 51.8
Republican Maria Elvira Salazar 115,588 45.8
Independent Mayra Joli 6,255 2.5
Total votes 252,586 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican

2020

Florida's 27th congressional district election, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Maria Elvira Salazar 176,141 51.4
Democratic Donna Shalala (incumbent) 166,758 48.6
Total votes 342,899 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

Honors and awards

She is the recipient of five Emmy Awards for several reports on Nicaragua, Cuba and Dominican Republic.[52]

Books

In 2010, Grijalbo, a branch name of Random House, published her book Si Dios contigo, ¿quién contra ti?, considered a sales success in the main U.S. Hispanic states (ISBN 0307393267).

References

  1. ^ a b Vassolo, Martin (August 28, 2018). "Salazar beats Barreiro in GOP primary in Florida's 27th congressional district". The Miami Herald. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Daugherty, Alex (November 4, 2020). "Maria Elvira Salazar defeats Donna Shalala in Florida's 27th Congressional District". Miami Herald. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  3. ^ Valdez, Yvonne H. "Maria Elvira Salazar derrota a Donna Shalala en la carrera por el escaño en el Congreso del Distrito 27 de Miami-Dade". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  4. ^ "Maria Elvira Salazar". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  5. ^ Putney, Michael (September 27, 2020). "This Week in South Florida: Maria Elvira Salazar". WPLG. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  6. ^ "CNN Latino Launches in Miami". Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  7. ^ "Maria Elvira Salazar Keynote Speakers Bureau and Speaking Fee". BigSpeak Motivational Speakers Bureau: Keynote Speakers, Business Speakers and Celebrity Speakers. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  8. ^ "María Elvira Salazar". Cubanos Famosos (in Spanish). Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  9. ^ "Univision broadcaster Maria Elena Salinas to go solo after more than three decades". Miami Herald. December 5, 2017.
  10. ^ "La familia Castro, historia de desencuentros y lealtades: cómo anunció Raúl la muerte de su hermano Fidel" [The Castro family, history of disagreements and loyalties: how Raúl announced the death of his brother Fidel]. iProfessional. November 26, 2016.
  11. ^ Dougherty, Alex (March 1, 2018). "Journalist Maria Elvira Salazar joins GOP race for Ros-Lehtinen's seat". Miami Herald.
  12. ^ DEBORAH RAMIREZ. "CUBAN POLITICAL RIVALS MEET IN HISTORIC DEBATE". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  13. ^ "Shalala-Salazar Congressional Race Tests Limits Of Democratic Appeals To Hispanic Voters". October 25, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  14. ^ Evans, Garrett (September 26, 2018). "Former TV journalist gives GOP rare dose of hope in Florida". TheHill. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  15. ^ "María Elvira Salazar". CiberCuba (in Spanish). Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  16. ^ a b Cortesía. "María Elvira Salazar regresa a Mega TV". elnuevoherald. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  17. ^ Pertierra, Jose; Diario de El Paso: María Elvira, la Diva de la Tarde; Cuba Debate; March 9, 2011; [1]
  18. ^ Edo Herrera (October 17, 2012), Especial Pablo Escobar – Plata o plomo (Completo), retrieved April 21, 2019
  19. ^ Daugherty, Alex; GOP candidate Salazar says attacks of her interview with Fidel Castro aren't sticking; Miami Herald; August 25, 2018; [2]
  20. ^ María Elvira Salazar (November 10, 2010), ENTREVISTA A PINOCHET – MARIA ELVIRA SALAZAR, retrieved April 20, 2019
  21. ^ "Pinochet Competent, Must Stand Trial, Judge Rules". Los Angeles Times. December 14, 2004. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  22. ^ País, Ediciones El (December 14, 2004). "El juez Guzmán procesa a Pinochet y ordena su arresto domiciliario por asesinato y secuestro". El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  23. ^ "María Elvira Salazar". CiberCuba (in Spanish). Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  24. ^ Bosch, Adri (March 20, 2013). "Entrevista exclusiva con Yoani Sánchez(Part 1 ,2,3 video completo )por Maria Elvira Salazar". The Bosch's Blog (in European Spanish). Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  25. ^ TeleMiami (April 30, 2014), María Elvira Salazar entrevista al presidente de Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, en Mira TV, retrieved July 19, 2019
  26. ^ Cuban American Journalist Could Replace Ros-Lehtinen; News Americas; August 29, 2018; [3]
  27. ^ Daugherty, Alex; Republicans can't generate buzz for Ros-Lehtinen's seat, and some say it's unwinnable; Miami Herald; January 2, 2018; [4]
  28. ^ Michael; re; Buchanan, Larry; Bloch, Matthew; Bowers, Jeremy; Cohn, Nate; Coote, Alastair; Daniel, Annie; Harris, Richard (November 5, 2018). "Midterm Election Poll: Florida's 27th District, Salazar vs. Shalala". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  29. ^ Smiley, David (August 1, 2018). "Old Fidel Castro interview haunts Cuban-American journalist's congressional campaign". The Miami Herald. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  30. ^ Vassolo, Martin (August 28, 2018). "Salazar beats Barreiro in GOP primary in Florida's 27th congressional district". The Miami Herald. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  31. ^ Smiley, David (October 29, 2018). "Given the chance to debate in English, Shalala says 'Gracias, pero no'". The Miami Herald. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  32. ^ Lesley Clark (October 7, 2018). "Everybody knows her name, but Donna Shalala is finding it difficult to get to Congress". McClatchy Washington Bureau.
  33. ^ Rivero, Daniel (November 6, 2018). "Maria Elvira Salazar Loses Race But Keeps Her Head High". WLRN. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  34. ^ https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article233385717.html
  35. ^ Molina, Daniel. "Trump Endorses Maria Elvira Salazar over 'Pragmatic Socialist' Shalala". The Floridian. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  36. ^ Bikales, James (August 18, 2020). "Shalala to face Salazar in Florida rematch". The Hill. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  37. ^ 2020 Election Results, Florida 27th Congressional District, USA Today, November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  38. ^ Denkmann, Libby. Four Lessons From The Southern California House Seats Republicans Reclaimed In 2020, KPCC, 89.3 FM, Southern California Public Radio, Pasadena, California, December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  39. ^ Stabile, Angelica (November 9, 2020). "13 GOP women join the House, dominating congressional elections, making history". FOX News. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  40. ^ "'This is the year of Republican women:' House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-CA, Congresswoman-elect Maria Salazar, R-FL, and Congresswoman-elect Stephanie Bice, R-OK, on 'Fox & Friends Weekend'". Fox and Friends Weekend. November 14, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  41. ^ "María Elvira Salazar wins Florida congressional race - The Ingraham Angle - Fox News". The Ingraham Angle. November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  42. ^ Mutnick, Ally. The biggest surprises of the 2020 Democratic House debacle, Politico, November 11, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  43. ^ Miami Herald https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article246591173.html. Retrieved December 6, 2020. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  44. ^ Vassolo, Martin (October 31, 2018). "Miami GOP candidate Salazar says birthright citizenship should be 'reviewed'". The Miami Herald. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  45. ^ Nicol, Ryan (October 12, 2018). "New Maria Elvira Salazar ad: 'Our environment' depends on this election". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  46. ^ a b Ocner, Matias J. "Salazar casts herself as moderate Republican open to carbon tax, assault weapons ban". The Miami Herald. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  47. ^ Mazzei, Patricia (October 2, 2018). "For Democrats, Flipping a Miami Congressional Seat Is Harder Than They Thought". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  48. ^ "Maria Elvira Salazar". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  49. ^ "Maria Elvira Salazar". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  50. ^ "Latina Republican known as 'Maria Elvira' battles Donna Shalala for Fla. congressional seat". NBC News. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  51. ^ "The Deep Roots of Sanders' Socialism". Maria Salazar. April 15, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  52. ^ "Cuban American Journalist Could Replace Ros-Lehtinen". News Americas. August 29, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 27th congressional district
Taking office 2021 		Elect
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=María_Elvira_Salazar&oldid=992617750"