History of María Elvira Salazar in Timeline

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

November 1, 1961: María Elvira Salazar's Birth

On November 1, 1961, María Elvira Salazar was born. She later became an American journalist, author, and politician.

Others born on this day/year

1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964

In 1964, The Civil Rights Act was enacted.

1983: Earned Bachelor of Arts degree

In 1983, Salazar earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from the University of Miami.

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.

1989: Ros-Lehtinen represented 27th congressional district

In 1989, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen began representing the 27th congressional district.

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.

1995: Received Master of Public Administration

In 1995, she received a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.

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.

2012: STOCK Act

In 2012, The Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act was enacted.

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: Clinton won the district

In 2016, Hillary Clinton had won the district by almost 20 points, which was Clinton's best showing in a Republican-held district.

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.

October 2018: Expressed openness to assault weapons ban

In October 2018, Salazar indicated she might support an assault weapons ban.

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.

2018: Stated Community Focus

In 2018, Salazar stated her intention to prioritize community needs and address President Trump respectfully.

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: Reported STOCK Act Violation

In June 2022, Business Insider reported that Salazar appeared to have violated the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act of 2012 for failing to properly disclose an exchange of shares in Cano Health.

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: Marriage to Lester Woerner

In 2022, María Elvira Salazar married businessman Lester Woerner.

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.

2022: Voted for the Global Respect Act

In 2022, Salazar was one of six Republicans to vote for the Global Respect Act.

January 13, 2023: Reintroduced the FORCE Act

On January 13, 2023, Salazar reintroduced the Fighting Oppression until the Reign of Castro Ends (FORCE) Act.

September 2023: Introduced Crucial Communism Teaching Act

In September 2023, Salazar introduced the Crucial Communism Teaching Act.

January 10, 2024: Introduced No AI Fraud Act

On January 10, 2024, Salazar introduced H.R. 6943: No AI Fraud Act into the 118th United States Congress.

October 2024: Divorce Finalized

In October 2024, María Elvira Salazar's marriage to Lester Woerner ended in divorce, which was finalized by court order in Palm Beach County, Florida.