And while he might not be able to intimidate her, her area representative sure did heap lavish praise on his San Joaquin homegirl when her nomination was debated in the House of Representatives in February of 2025. He said at the time he wishes she were his family:
Florencio Marin Jr., Area Rep. - Corozal Southeast(FEBRUARY 07, 2025)
"I happen to know the family very well, I know the people in my division, I've tried my best to meet all of them as possible and I believe that is what has helped me to be successful. But one cannot help but feel some of these attacks were just personal. I don't know if I can say some of it was even misogynistic. But what I can tell you is that in the Corozal Southeast division, there are very strong women in the Corozal Southeast division and wherever they go, they always do a very good and thorough job, and Mrs. Rodriguez is definitely going to make a good example in that office she is now going to hold."
Florencio Marin Jr.
"First of all, Mrs. Rodriguez is not my family and I kind of wish she was because I do know her, I do know the work ethic she has and I do know the family they come from, humble cane farmer roots, they work very hard, get up 4:30 in the morning, go to the cane fields and work so I know this lady put herself through school, made sacrifices to get where she is and rather than try to soil her reputation I believe we should be proud that we now have a totally qualified person who is of a very strong character and will do a good job as the Auditor-General and her qualifications are real, they are not honorary doctorate."
During that meeting, Marin rose twice to praise Rodriguez, one time on a point of order and the other as part of the debate.
