Former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins captured the Miami mayor’s office Tuesday night, becoming the city’s first Democratic mayor in 30 years after defeating City Manager Emilio Gonzalez in a decisive runoff election.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Higgins secured 59 percent of the vote to Gonzalez’s 41 percent in a field that began with 13 candidates. Her victory marks a major political shift in one of Florida’s most high-profile urban centers, where the mayoralty had been held by Republicans for three decades.
“Our city chose a new direction,” Higgins told supporters in her victory speech. “You chose competence over chaos, results over excuses, and a city government that finally works for you.”
While the race was officially nonpartisan, Higgins enjoyed strong backing from prominent Democrats, while Republicans—including Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Trump—endorsed Gonzalez. According to CBS News, voter turnout reached 21.3 percent, with 37,496 ballots cast out of 175,692 registered voters.
A Platform Focused on Housing and Reform
Higgins ran on a platform centered around tackling Miami’s worsening housing affordability crisis. She pledged to convert city-owned land into affordable housing developments and streamline the city’s permitting process to cut bureaucracy.
“No more endless delays for families trying to fix a home or small business trying to open,” she said. “We will cut red tape, repair what’s broken, and modernize City Hall. We will confront the affordability crisis with the urgency Miami families need. We will make our streets safer by supporting law enforcement and strengthening community partnerships. We will protect Biscayne Bay.”
Her campaign also drew attention for its criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies, which she called “inhumane and cruel,” though she noted she would cooperate with federal officials “on issues where we can find common ground.”
A Respectful Contest and Political Turning Point
Following her win, Higgins praised her Republican opponent. “I just spoke with my opponent Emilio Gonzalez, a good man that I’ve known for many, many years and genuinely respect,” she said. “He cares about our community; that is what unites us.”
Outgoing Mayor Francis X. Suarez—who briefly ran for president in 2024—leaves office due to term limits. As WLRN reported, Suarez and a majority of the city commission attempted to delay the election until November 2026, claiming it would save money and increase turnout, a move that would have extended their own terms by a year.
Higgins’ victory signals a new political direction for Miami, underscoring shifting voter priorities in one of America’s most dynamic metropolitan areas. Her administration is expected to focus heavily on housing reform, environmental protection, and restoring public trust in local government.
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