Machado won election to the National Assembly in the 26 September 2010 polls, as the highest vote-getter in the nation;[26] she and fellow Primero Justicia Miranda candidate Enrique Mendoza were the "two highest vote-getters nationwide".[27] Machado said the president "made a big mistake by turning the election into a plebiscite on himself ... This is a clear signal that Venezuelans do not want an authoritarian government, a militarized government, a centralized government and a government that wants to turn Venezuela into Cuba ... A new phase begins today, and we've taken a big step toward the day when democratic values, freedom, justice and good governance prevail."[28] "We now have the legitimacy of the citizen vote. We are the representatives of the people."[29] "It is very clear. Venezuela said no to Cuban-like communism."[30]

According to the Los Angeles Times, "[b]oth Machado and Mendoza are already being talked about as potential presidential candidates in two years."[27] Michael Shifter said that Machado was a future presidential contender "who can effectively communicate a vision for a post-Chavez Venezuela that can appeal to enough Chavez supporters."[28] According to the Financial Times, "Machado is being dubbed the new face of the opposition ... Even President Hugo Chávez has spoken of confronting her in the 2012 presidential elections."[26] Machado has said she is not interested in running for president