The Democratic Party appears poised to win the Miami mayoral election on Tuesday, polls indicate.

Former County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, a Democrat, faces Republican Emilio González, a former city manager endorsed by President Donald Trump, in a runoff election in the city after the two candidates beat 11 others on November 4.

According to the latest polls and betting odds, Higgins is likely to win the election, in what would be an upset for the GOP.

Higgins told Newsweek: “Our campaign continues to feel the momentum of Miami’s residents who are showing up because they want a city government that finally works for them. Around the country—and right here in Miami—people are ready for strong, values-based leaders who deliver results with action. That’s why voters across the political spectrum—Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike—have elected me three times, and why we finished in first place by nearly a 2-to-1 margin in November. 

“From Day One, this race has been powered by neighbors who are ready for honest leadership, real accountability, and a focus on results: safer neighborhoods, affordable housing, small business support, and infrastructure that actually gets built. That broad community coalition and commitment to getting things done is what’s powering us through to Tuesday.”

Newsweek reached out to González’s campaign to comment on this article outside of normal business hours.

Why It Matters

Miami, which is considered the cultural and economic center of South Florida and is the state’s second-most populous city, is a Republican stronghold that has not elected a Democratic mayor in nearly three decades.

Florida is also Trump’s home state, where his Mar-a-Lago resort is located. The city is part of Miami-Dade County, which Trump also flipped last year. If the GOP performs poorly, it be of concern to Republicans, especially ahead of the 2026 midterms.

What To Know

According to betting platform Polymarket, Higgins, who has campaigned on providing affordable housing, has a 94 percent chance of winning the election while González, who worked as a director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under former President George W. Bush, has a 6 percent chance.

An APL Consulting poll of 307 voters found that Higgins had 34 percent of the vote and Gonzalez had 31 percent. This poll, conducted between November 21 and 24 on behalf of Mission Miami, a political committee backing Gonzalez’s campaign, had a margin of error of +/- 5.9 percentage points.

According to an MDW Communications poll of 307 likely voters, 49.84 percent would vote for Higgins while 23.78 percent would vote for González. However, this poll was conducted between October 14 and 18, before the November 4 election. It was also commissioned by Higgins’ political committee. The margin of error was 6 percentage points.

In the November 4 race, Higgins won 36 percent of the vote while González won 19 percent.

Early voting and vote-by-mail data showed more than 8,700 registered Democrats had cast ballots as of Sunday afternoon, compared with nearly 7,200 Republicans and about 5,000 voters with no party affiliation.

What People Are Saying

President Donald Trump said in a November 16 Truth Social post: “It is my Great Honor to endorse Emilio T. Gonzales to be the next Mayor of the Beautiful City of Miami, Florida! A very successful Businessman, Civic Leader, former CEO of Miami International Airport, and former City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Miami, Emilio has dedicated his life to serving his Community. As the former Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and a brave U.S. Army Veteran, Emilio strongly supports our incredible Law Enforcement, Military, and Veterans, and knows the Wisdom and Courage it takes to ensure LAW AND ORDER. As Miami’s next Mayor, he will fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Advance MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our now very Secure Border, SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”

What Happens Next

The election takes place on December 9.

Update: 12/08/2025: 11:01 a.m. ET: This story was updated with comment from Higgins.