Democratic candidate Lucia Báez-Geller launched a campaign video titled “Salazar Lied,” criticizing Rep. María Elvira Salazar for voting against approximately $24 million in federal funding for her district.
The video comes in the wake of a controversial interview with a South Florida TV station where Salazar struggled to recall her votes on House bills and touted spending measures she had opposed.
Báez-Geller, a Miami-Dade County school board member, accused Salazar of taking credit for projects funded by federal laws she had voted against.
Salazar’s Opponent (Credits: Yahoo News)
The video highlights various district projects funded by the contested money, including a mental health facility expansion, a community health center, and a police department upgrade.
Báez-Geller argued that Salazar was trying to deceive voters and actively worked to ensure her constituents were aware of the inconsistency between Salazar’s claims and her voting record.
In the contested interview with CBS News Miami’s Jim DeFede, Salazar struggled to recall her votes and, at one point, needed to consult her staff. The video emphasizes Salazar’s apparent lack of transparency and questions her role in advancing district initiatives.
Salazar’s campaign dismissed the accusations, portraying them as attacks from “out-of-touch radical liberals” and defending her stance against what they consider bad policies and wasteful spending.
The controversy adds fuel to the ongoing narrative pushed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, targeting incumbent Republicans with a pattern of “vote no, take the dough.” Democrats have been quick to criticize Republicans who reject federal funding that could benefit their constituents.
Rep. María Elvira Salazar, who has been in Congress since 2021, is facing increased scrutiny as Democrats seek to regain control of the U.S. House in the November elections.
The competitive nature of her district in Miami-Dade County, with a significant Hispanic population, makes it a key battleground. Salazar’s strong fundraising position, with over $800,000 cash on hand, contrasts with Báez-Geller’s campaign coffers, highlighting the challenging landscape for the Democratic candidate.
Miami-Dade County, won by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2022, presents an intriguing dynamic as a potential swing county in the 2024 election. Although DeSantis achieved a Republican victory there for the first time in over two decades, the county’s large Democratic voter base could play a crucial role in future elections.
