Eliott Rodriguez

Eliott Rodriguez is an American journalist, former television news anchor, and political candidate. The son of Cuban immigrants, Rodriguez was in journalism for almost five decades including 25 years at CBS News Miami. He won three Emmy Awards, four Edward R. Murrow Awards, and a Silver Circle Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Early life and education

Rodriguez was born in New York to parents who immigrated from Cuba. His mother worked as a seamstress in New York's garment district, while his father owned a grocery store in the Bronx. His family moved to Miami when he was 12, and he went to Shenandoah Junior High School. He graduated from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.

Journalism career

Rodriguez began his professional journalism career in 1978 as a reporter for the Miami News, (now defunct) transitioning into television journalism in 1980. He worked for The Miami Herald and then held reporting positions as well as being an anchor at WTVJ in Miami, WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, and WPLG in Miami. In 1987, he came back to Miami to join WPLG as a weekend co-anchor and general assignment reporter. He remained at WPLG until 1998.

Rodriguez joined WFOR-TV, the CBS station in Miami, in 1999. The Miami New Times cited Rodriguez's handling of the debate when it named him the city's Best TV News Anchor in 2015.

Awards and recognition

Miami New Times named Rodriguez Best TV News Anchor in both 2006 and 2015.

2026 congressional campaign

In March 2026, Rodriguez announced that he would run as a Democrat for Florida's 27th congressional district, seeking the seat held by Republican Representative María Elvira Salazar. Both Rodriguez and Salazar are Cuban Americans and former television journalists. During the campaign, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report moved its assessment of the district from a safe Republican seat to "Likely Republican".