In the packed race for Miami’s mayoral seat, The Miami Times believes no candidate is more equipped for and committed to helping the city’s Black community than Eileen Higgins.
Higgins, currently a Miami-Dade County commissioner, has a proven record of investing in small, minority-owned businesses through her ELEVATE District 5 initiative and her championing of the $25 million RISE Miami-Dade Fund. Her first-year agenda includes auditing all city-owned land to build affordable and workforce housing and expanding trolley service to underserved areas like Overtown and Liberty City, according to her responses to The Miami Times questionnaire sent out earlier this month.
Higgins’ acknowledgment of climate gentrification also illustrates her unique grasp of the ways in which Miami’s Black residents are displaced in today’s age. To The Miami Times she wrote, “The city must deliver equitable resiliency planning, strengthen protections in lower-elevation neighborhoods to offset speculative migration, and invest in safeguards to keep vulnerable residents in their homes.” We commend this framework and her commitment to climate justice.
Importantly, The Miami Times believes Higgins has the political know-how to bring real change to the City of Miami. Coming from the county commission, she not only brings the necessary experience but also a directory of contacts who can help her advance her cross-government initiatives. She is both heavily endorsed and heavily funded, demonstrating her political influence across the Greater Miami area.
Of note is candidate Michael Hepburn, whose passionate campaign has not gone unnoticed. Hepburn brings bold and innovative ideas to the table, including creating a civic engagement curriculum for City of Miami residents, establishing a Miami Affordable Housing Master Plan to rehab or develop 9,000 affordable housing units throughout the city, and launching a “Miami Legacy Business Project” to invest in small businesses that have stood for 25 years or longer.
The Miami Times commends Hepburn’s years of civic and volunteer service but withholds a full endorsement, noting his lack of experience in public office. Should Higgins win the race, we would encourage Hepburn to seek a position on her administration as a way to push his ideas and gain further experience within City of Miami government. We certainly hope this won’t be the last time that City of Miami residents see Hepburn’s name on the ballot.
Early voting in the City of Miami is now underway at Carrie P. Meek Senior and Cultural Center, Gerry Curtis Park Community Center, Hispanic Branch Library, Legion Memorial Park Community Center, Miami City Hall, Shenandoah Branch Library, Stephen P. Clark Government Center, and West Flagler Branch Library. Early voting sites are open Oct. 29-Oct. 31 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Nov. 1-2 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The general municipal election takes place Nov. 4. If required, a runoff will take place Dec. 9.