Former federal prosecutor and congressional investigator Robin Peguero has raised more than $750,000 through contributions from over 6,000 donors in his campaign to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar in Florida’s 27th Congressional District. The campaign announced the fundraising milestone this week as the Democratic primary race intensifies ahead of the Aug. 18 primary election. Peguero’s campaign claims he has outpaced competitors in individual fundraising over the past three quarters, defining this as “true” fundraising without corporate PAC money or self-loans.

“We’ve built a powerhouse campaign from the ground up,” Peguero said in a statement. “I’ve dedicated my life to public service and fighting for the people of Miami, prosecuting violent criminals and holding the corrupt accountable. We have the momentum and energy on our side, and I’m ready to fight for this seat and go toe-to-toe with María Elvira Salazar come November.”

Through Dec. 31, Federal Election Commission records show Democratic primary opponent Richard Lamondin had raised close to $690,000, while Peguero had collected roughly $479,000. A third Democratic candidate, accountant Alex Fornino, raised close to nothing before dropping out and endorsing Peguero. Former Key Biscayne Mayor Mike Davey also withdrew his candidacy and endorsed Peguero after exiting the race in August.

Miami TV news anchor Eliott Rodriguez entered the Democratic primary last week, while Lev Parnas, a Donald Trump donor-turned-critic and documentary subject, announced his candidacy March 5 but has not yet filed with the FEC. A new poll conducted March 6-8 by Blueprint Polling shows Rodriguez with 43% support against Salazar’s 46%, while Peguero garnered 40% support compared to Salazar’s 47%. The 3-percentage-point difference between the Democratic candidates fell within the poll’s 4.61-point margin of error.

In the third quarter of 2025, Peguero amassed $330,000 total after entering the race July 15, with $325,000 coming from individuals. Lamondin raised about $202,000 that quarter, including $107,000 from individuals and a $95,000 self-loan. Salazar raised $214,500, consisting of $86,000 from individuals, with the rest from corporate PACs and GOP-aligned political committees.

During the fourth quarter, Peguero collected $148,000, with $136,000 coming from individuals and the rest through non-corporate, advocacy-focused and progressive PACs. Lamondin received $237,000, though all but $130,500 came from individuals, supplemented by a $50,000 self-loan and PAC contributions. Salazar’s $241,000 haul that quarter consisted of only $48,000 in individual donations.

“I’m ticked off with the direction of the country. I’m ticked off with my representative, who is not speaking up for people in our community, who is so beholden to one single constituent, that’s Donald J. Trump, and not the rest of us,” Peguero said. The 40-year-old attorney has served as a congressional speech writer, spokesperson and chief of staff, emphasizing his dedication to public service.

“I’m a kid from Hialeah. I grew up here and struggling, working class with both of my parents. My father ultimately a school teacher, my mother a mail carrier trying to make it in this country, and they are the example of the American dream,” Peguero said. Despite polling showing Rodriguez’s early lead in name recognition, with 57% of respondents unfamiliar with Peguero compared to 40% for Rodriguez, both candidates posted nearly identical results against Salazar.

Florida’s 27th Congressional District covers Miami, Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Key Biscayne, Pinecrest, North Bay Village, South Miami, West Miami and several unincorporated areas. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has highlighted the district as one of three Florida seats “in play” for the upcoming election cycle.

Campaign finance reports for the first quarter of 2026, running through March 31, are due April 15. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3, with the Democratic primary taking place Aug. 18.