Who are the candidates running for Mayor of Miami?
The race for mayor of Miami is a close race between Democrat Eileen Higgins and Republican Emilio González.
Democrat Eileen Higgins has won the Miami mayoral runoff election, becoming the first Democrat elected in nearly 30 years and the first woman to be elected mayor of the city, according to multiple reports.
This is a major victory for Democrats, who have defeated Republican rivals in several elections off-2025. It could also cause difficulties for Republicans and President Donald Trump, who supported Higgins’ opponent, Emilio González.
Trump flipped Miami-Dade County, which includes the city of Miami, in the 2024 presidential election. But Democrats say their recent victories are a sign of what’s to come in next year’s midterm elections, as voters continue to face rising food and housing prices.
“I am honored that voters have placed their confidence in me as the next mayor of Miami,” Higgins said in a statement. “This victory belongs to all the residents who knocked on doors, collected petitions, made phone calls and believed, as always, that honesty and hard work can win in politics.”
Prior to the run-off election, Higgins came in first place in the Miami mayoral election held on November 4th with approximately 35% of the vote. González was second with 19%. None of the candidates received more than 50% of the vote, so the top two candidates faced off on Tuesday.
Higgins vows to work for Miami with ‘integrity and diligence’
Higgins, who was predicted by multiple news outlets to win the Miami mayoral race, told USA TODAY on Monday that he was honored to be the first Democrat to be elected mayor in nearly 30 years.
“We’re facing unprecedented growth, which is great, but it means we need a mayor focused on the housing affordability crisis,” Higgins said, adding that climate change is also contributing to major flooding in the city.
“This is a great responsibility, and I intend to carry it out with integrity and diligence. I intend to serve as mayor with the residents of this city in mind every day,” she added.
Mr Higgins focused much of his campaign on housing affordability. New Yorkers and Californians flocked to Miami in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led to higher living and housing costs for residents, which was a key factor in Trump’s double-digit victory in Miami-Dade County.
Asked what the win meant for Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, Higgins said candidates need to focus on their communities. What works for Miami residents may not work in a state like Montana, Higgins explained.
“Here’s my advice to anyone running for office: Remember who put you in office and work for that person,” she said. “And you work for them every day, and you will win.”
González concedes to Higgins after upset
According to the Miami Herald, Republican candidate Gonzalez conceded the race just after 7:30 p.m., just 30 minutes after polls closed.
During a watch party at Meraki Greek Bistro on Tuesday, González told supporters he called Higgins to congratulate him and told him “we’re rooting for you,” the newspaper said.
“This was the ride of a lifetime,” González told supporters at a viewing party.
Democrats say victory in mayoral race is a ‘warning sign’ for Republicans
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin said Higgins’ victory in the Miami mayoral race is another “warning sign” for Republicans heading into next year’s midterm elections.
Martin said Higgins won the seat because of her focus on affordability, an issue that many Democrats have focused on in their 2025 off-year elections.
“Tonight’s results are yet another warning to Republicans that voters are tired of an irrelevant agenda that raises costs for working families across America,” Martin said in a statement.
Higgins, 61, is a former Miami-Dade County commissioner who wears the label “La Gringa.” Until this year, she served on the committee representing the district that includes the Cuban enclave of Little Havana. She was first elected in 2018.
Throughout his campaign, Higgins has focused on local issues and his past accomplishments as a commissioner who helped secure funding to expand affordable housing and expand two rapid transit lines.
But even though Higgins could make history as the first Democrat and first non-Hispanic mayor in nearly 30 years, he said in an interview with USA TODAY that he has so far relied on support from all party members and will govern with that in mind.
“I will lead with Democratic values, but I will serve everyone,” she said. “I never asked you what party you were, and I never asked you if you voted for me.”
Mr. Gonzalez, 68, is a retired Air Force colonel who served as city manager under Mayor Francis Suarez.
He had a 26-year military career that included military attaché in Mexico and El Salvador and senior positions at the Defense Intelligence Agency. He is also the former director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under Republican President George W. Bush.
Throughout his campaign, González has focused on fighting corruption and “nepotism” in the city.
When was the last time a Democrat was elected mayor of Miami?
Higgins will be the first Democratic mayor since 1997.
The last Democratic mayor to be elected was Xavier Suarez, who changed political parties during his political career, first as a Republican and then as an independent. He is the father of outgoing incumbent Mayor Francis Suarez, a Republican and key Trump ally.
The 1997 election, the second time Suarez was elected mayor, was short-lived after Suarez’s victory was challenged and overturned in court. His opponent, Republican Joe Carollo, was declared the new winner.
Ms. Higgins is also the first woman to be elected to the position and the first non-Hispanic candidate since the 1990s.
“Full and complete support.” Trump supports Gonzalez
President Trump last month endorsed González, who finished second in the Nov. 4 race. The Miami mayor’s position is bipartisan, but Trump has indicated he will support the Republican Party.
Trump misspelled González’s last name in a Truth Social post, but said the Florida Republican “will never let you down!”
“As Miami’s next mayor, he will work tirelessly to grow our economy, cut taxes and regulations, promote MADE IN THE USA, unlock America’s energy advantage, protect our now-very-secure borders, ensure safety, deter immigration crime, and protect the Second Amendment, which is always under siege,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Democrats hope for more victories in 2025
Democrats achieved several important victories through the 2025 off-year elections.
In Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger defeated Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears in last month’s gubernatorial election. The state is home to thousands of federal employees affected by government shutdowns and layoffs by the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Trump won a significant victory in New Jersey in the 2024 presidential election. Still, Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill was declared victorious over Republican businessman Jack Ciatarelli in the gubernatorial race.
Democrats did not enter Tennessee’s Republican-friendly 7th District, but Democrat Aftin Behn chipped away at Trump’s 22 percentage point victory there. Mr. Behn lost in a special election to Mr. Trump’s candidate, Matt Van Epps, by just 9 points.
This is a trend Democrats hope to continue in the Miami mayoral race.
The Democratic National Committee poured resources into the Miami area to support Higgins throughout the campaign, including a bilingual organizing blitz. She has also received support from national politicians such as former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who was also the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz.
When is the voting deadline in Miami?
Voting began at 7 a.m. in precincts across Miami. Voting is scheduled to end at 7 p.m., and voters who were in line by that time can still vote.
In a statement, Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia welcomed voters back to the polls in a runoff election after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the Nov. 4 mayoral election.
“Runoff elections play a critical role in shaping the government closest to our daily lives, and every vote helps keep our democracy strong,” Garcia said. “Your participation is both meaningful and patriotic.”
South Florida will play a big role in President Trump’s 2026 plan
South Florida, where Trump made significant gains in the 2024 presidential election, will play a key role in several big events for the president next year.
In Doral, adjacent to Miami, President Trump is scheduled to host the G20 summit at his golf resort. The facility will also host the PGA Tour from April 30 to May 3, 2026.
Seven World Cup matches will also be held at Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens. The president of the host country has typically been involved in World Cup matches. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who called President Trump a “close friend,” presented him with the first FIFA Peace Prize.
President Trump also regularly heads to South Florida to visit his golf club in West Palm Beach. Although the event will be held in a city adjacent to Miami, metropolitan areas may still play a key role.
