Rise to Success: Career Highlights of María Elvira Salazar

Discover the career path of María Elvira Salazar, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

María Elvira Salazar is an American journalist, author, and politician currently serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 27th congressional district since 2021. As a Republican, she holds the position of assistant whip. Prior to her political career, Salazar spent three decades as a journalist for Telemundo, after being a news anchor for WSBS TV in Miami. Her journalism career also included roles at CNN Español and Univision, marking her as a prominent figure in Spanish-language media before transitioning to politics.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1983: Began journalism career

In 1983, Salazar's journalism career began as a general assignment reporter for Channel 23.

1984: Senior political correspondent

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.

1988: White House and Pentagon correspondent

In 1988, she began working as a White House and Pentagon correspondent for Univision.

1991: Bureau chief at Univision

In 1991, she became the bureau chief at the Central America division of Univision, covering the Salvadoran Civil War.

1993: Started Working for Telemundo

In 1993, María Elvira Salazar began working for Telemundo Network, later serving as senior political correspondent in Cuba.

1995: Interviewed Fidel Castro

In 1995, Salazar interviewed Fidel Castro for Telemundo at the Cuban mission to the United Nations.

1996: Participated in political debate

In 1996, Salazar was one of two Hispanic journalists to participate in a political debate between Ricardo Alarcón and Jorge Mas Canosa.

1999: Interviewed Bill Clinton

In 1999, Salazar interviewed President Bill Clinton.

2001: Interviewed George W. Bush

In 2001, Salazar interviewed President George W. Bush.

2002: Continued career with America TV 41

In 2002, Salazar continued her journalism career with America TV 41, hosting her own political news show, Maria Elvira Confronta.

2003: Interviewed Augusto Pinochet

In 2003, Salazar interviewed former Chilean president Augusto Pinochet, which was later cited as a legal basis to rule Pinochet mentally competent for trial.

2005: Interviewed Vicente Fox and Carlos Salinas de Gortari

In 2005, Salazar interviewed Mexican presidents Vicente Fox and Carlos Salinas de Gortari.

2006: Joined Mega TV

In 2006, following the purchase of WSBS-TV by Raúl Alarcón, Salazar transitioned her program to Mega TV and renamed it Polos Opuestos, later Maria Elvira Live!.

2007: Interviewed José María Aznar

In 2007, Salazar interviewed Spanish president José María Aznar.

2008: Interviewed Alvaro Uribe

In 2008, Salazar interviewed Colombian president Alvaro Uribe.

2013: Interviewed Yoani Sánchez

In 2013, Salazar interviewed Cuban dissident and blogger Yoani Sánchez in New York City.

2014: Interviewed Juan Manuel Santos

In 2014, Salazar interviewed Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos.

2016: Returned to Mega TV

In 2016, Salazar returned to Mega TV as the anchor of the night newscast.

2016: Appearance on Fox News

In 2016, Salazar's appearance on Fox News, where she called Barack Obama's rapprochement with Cuba "noble," was criticized by Bruno Barreiro.

January 2018: Met with Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

In January 2018, retiring congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen met with Salazar and suggested she would be the right candidate for the 27th congressional district.

March 2018: Announced Candidacy

In March 2018, Salazar announced her candidacy to represent Florida's 27th congressional district.

August 28, 2018: Won Republican Primary

On August 28, 2018, Salazar won the Republican primary by approximately 15 points over Bruno Barreiro.

2018: Nominee for Florida's 27th congressional district

In 2018, Salazar became the Republican nominee for Florida's 27th congressional district but lost to Donna Shalala.

August 2019: Announced Candidacy for Rematch

In August 2019, Salazar announced her candidacy for a rematch against Donna Shalala.

August 2020: Won Republican Primary

In August 2020, Salazar won the Republican primary and faced Shalala in the November general election.

2020: Defeated Donna Shalala

In 2020, María Elvira Salazar defeated Donna Shalala in a rematch election.

2020: Potential Freedom Force Member

In late 2020, Salazar was identified as a potential member of the Freedom Force.

January 6, 2021: Missed Vote on Certifying Election Results

Due to her COVID-19 quarantine, Salazar missed the vote on January 6, 2021, in the House to certify the presidential election results.

February 4, 2021: Voted to Strip Marjorie Taylor Greene of Committee Assignments

On February 4, 2021, Salazar was one of 11 Republicans who voted to strip Marjorie Taylor Greene of her House Education and Labor Committee and House Budget Committee assignments.

February 25, 2021: Voted Against the Equality Act

On February 25, 2021, Salazar voted against the Equality Act, citing concerns about religious freedom protections.

March 2, 2021: Introduced Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act

On March 2, 2021, Salazar and Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González introduced the Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act.

March 2021: Voted for Bipartisan Background Checks Act

In March 2021, Salazar was one of eight Republicans to join the House majority in passing the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021.

May 19, 2021: Approved Creation of January 6 Commission

On May 19, 2021, Salazar joined 34 other Republicans and all Democrats in voting to approve the creation of the January 6 commission.

2021: Became U.S. Representative

In 2021, María Elvira Salazar became the U.S. representative for Florida's 27th congressional district, marking a significant career milestone.

2021: Co-sponsored Fairness for All Act

In 2021, Salazar co-sponsored the Fairness for All Act, the Republican alternative to the Equality Act.

2021: Voted Against American Rescue Plan Act

In 2021, Salazar voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill.

2021: Forbes 50 Over 50

In 2021, Salazar was selected for the inaugural Forbes 50 Over 50 list, which is made up of entrepreneurs, leaders, scientists, and creators who are over the age of 50.

June 2022: Voted to Raise Legal Age for Assault Rifles

In June 2022, Salazar voted to raise the legal age to buy some types of assault rifles from 18 to 21.

2022: Re-elected

In 2022, María Elvira Salazar was re-elected as U.S. Representative.

2022: Voted Against Assault Weapons Ban of 2022

In 2022, Salazar voted against the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022.

2022: Voted against Honoring our PACT Act

In 2022, Salazar voted against the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 which expanded VA benefits to veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during their military service.