Robin Peguero, a former Miami-Dade criminal prosecutor and attorney for the Jan. 6 committee, has officially entered the race for the Democratic primary in Florida’s 27th congressional district for the 2026 election.
In a formal announcement on Tuesday, Peguero detailed his campaign’s mission to support Miami families, strengthen immigration laws, and protect constitutional rights.
He criticized Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, stating she is aligned with President Donald Trump’s agenda, particularly highlighting her support for the controversial ‘Big Beautiful Bill Act.’
According to Peguero, this legislation would significantly reduce the number of eligible individuals for food assistance and Medicaid, hurting vulnerable populations in the community.
Peguero pointed out in an interview on MSNBC that many voters, especially within the Latino community, are regretting their support for Trump after seeing consequences of his aggressive deportation policies.
He expressed a nuanced stance on immigration, emphasizing the need for due process in deportations while still advocating for the removal of violent criminals.
The Democratic primary is slated for Aug. 18, 2026, with the general election following on Nov. 3, 2026.
Florida’s 27th congressional district, including Key Biscayne, is predominantly Latino, with 72% of its population identifying as such and more than half being born outside the United States. Salazar resides on Key Biscayne.
Other candidates joining Peguero in the primary include former Key Biscayne Mayor Mike Davey and entrepreneur Richard Lamondin.
Peguero articulated his background and connection to the community, stating, ‘My story is a Miami story and an American story, one of loyalty and service.’
As the son of a Dominican father and Ecuadorian mother, Peguero’s family settled in Hialeah when he was five years old. His mother worked for the U.S. Postal Service, and his father was a Spanish teacher in a Miami public school.
Educated at Harvard and Harvard Law School, Peguero returned to Miami to work with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor.
He later served as “investigative counsel” on the Select Committee Investigating the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Currently, he teaches criminal law at St. Thomas University Law School and has published two fiction novels.
Lamondin has also criticized Salazar’s actions, specifically regarding her support for President Trump’s policies that affect temporary status protections for Hondurans and Nicaraguans.
He accused Salazar of misleading the community by labeling Trump as an ‘hero to immigrants’ while his administration consistently dismantles protections for vulnerable populations.
This race is gearing up to be a critical contest, with candidates highlighting their connections to the local community and differing views on immigration, economic issues, and representation in Congress.
image source from：kbindependent
