In early 2015, JP Morgan Chase claimed that María Elvira Salazar and her ex-husband defaulted on a $2 million mortgage (Miami Herald, 9/27/18).
In December 2020, Salazar was hospitalized for a heart arrhythmia and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19, leading to quarantine and a delayed start in Congress (Miami Herald, 1/12/21; El Nuevo Herald, 1/11/21).
Salazar's COVID-19 diagnosis was not made public until December 31, 2020, when she disclosed her hospitalization and ongoing recovery (Miami Herald, 1/11/21; El Nuevo Herald, 1/11/21).
While recovering from COVID-19 in January 2021, she publicly condemned the violence at the U.S. Capitol but did not state her position on efforts to overturn the election results (Miami Herald, 1/11/21; El Nuevo Herald, 1/11/21).
Potential vulnerability: The 2015 mortgage default and late disclosure of health issues could raise questions regarding financial management and transparency.
2015: JP Morgan Chase Claimed Salazar And Ex-Husband Defaulted On $2 Million Mortgage According to Miami Herald, 'in early 2015, the bank claims the couple defaulted on the mortgage.' [Miami Herald, 9/27/18]
December 2020: Salazar Was Hospitalized and Later Quarantined Due to COVID-19 According to Miami Herald, "Her COVID diagnosis wasn't known until she released a statement Dec. 31 saying she had been 'admitted overnight' to the hospital and had been treated over the course of 24 hours. 'I am in quarantine at home and getting better each day,' Salazar, 59, said in a statement at the time." [Miami Herald, 1/11/21]
January 6, 2021: Salazar Condemned Capitol Violence While Recovering from COVID-19 According to Miami Herald, "Salazar issued a tweet condemning the violence on Wednesday, which caused five deaths, but did not say what her position was on Republican efforts to overturn the presidential election results. 'While I am in Miami recovering from COVID-19, I'm deeply troubled by what is happening in Washington,' Salazar tweeted. 'I am praying for the safety of my colleagues & our law enforcement. There is absolutely no place for violence and rioting in the U.S. Capitol!'" [Miami Herald, 1/11/21]
December 2020: María Elvira Salazar Tested Positive For COVID-19 And Was Hospitalized According to El Nuevo Herald, "Salazar, quien dio positivo al COVID-19 tras ser hospitalizada por otra razón, el 23 de diciembre, dijo que estaba 'en camino a Washington' en un mensaje de texto enviado al Miami Herald." [El Nuevo Herald, 1/11/21]
December 2020: María Elvira Salazar Revealed COVID-19 Diagnosis And Quarantine Status According to El Nuevo Herald, "Su diagnóstico de COVID no se conoció hasta que dio a conocer un comunicado el 31 de diciembre diciendo que había sido 'ingresada durante la noche' en el hospital y había sido tratada en el transcurso de 24 horas. 'Estoy en cuarentena en casa y mejorando cada día', dijo Salazar, de 59 años, en un comunicado de la época. 'Espero poder empezar a trabajar por mi comunidad una vez que los médicos me lo permitan'." [El Nuevo Herald, 1/11/21]
January 2021: María Elvira Salazar Condemned Violence At Capitol In Public Statement According to El Nuevo Herald, "Salazar emitió un tuit condenando la violencia el miércoles, que causó cinco muertes, pero no dijo cuál era su posición sobre los esfuerzos republicanos para anular los resultados de las elecciones presidenciales. 'Mientras estoy en Miami recuperándome del COVID-19, estoy profundamente preocupada por lo que está sucediendo en Washington', tuiteó Salazar. 'Estoy rezando por la seguridad de mis colegas y nuestras fuerzas del orden. ¡No hay absolutamente ningún lugar para la violencia y los disturbios en el Capitolio!'" [El Nuevo Herald, 1/11/21]
January 2021: Salazar Delayed First Congressional Vote Due To Health Issues And COVID-19 According to Miami Herald, "Salazar's first vote in Congress came nine days later than her colleagues' after she was admitted to the hospital with a heart arrhythmia on Dec. 23. During her hospital stay, she also tested positive for COVID-19 and missed the beginning of Congress on Jan. 3." [Miami Herald, 1/12/21]