Two more Democratic Mayors — one current, one former — are getting behind Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins’ bid to become the first woman to hold that title in the city of Miami.
South Miami Mayor Javier Fernández and former Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, both former state lawmakers, are endorsing Higgins for Miami Mayor.
Fernández called Higgins “the kind of leader Miami needs — someone who listens, builds consensus, and always puts residents first.”
“We’ve worked side by side on transportation and climate resilience, and I’ve seen firsthand her ability to deliver real results for our community,” he said in a statement.
“As Mayor, I know Eileen Higgins will bring that same focus and integrity to City Hall, creating a Miami where families can afford to live, thrive, and feel safe.”
Gelber, Miami Beach’s immediate past Mayor, said Higgins is “exactly the kind of principled leader the City of Miami deserves.”
“I’ve spent my career in public service and the law, and I know the kind of steady, ethical leadership it takes to restore trust in government. Eileen Higgins has shown that leadership time and again — delivering affordable housing, growing our local economy, and making government more accountable to the people,” he said.
“Miami needs a Mayor who has both the courage to take on corruption and the ability to get real results for residents. That’s why I’m proud to support Eileen.”
Fernández and Gelber join others backing Higgins, including Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami Gardens Sen. Shevrin Jones and Miami Rep. Ashley Gantt.
Organizations also supporting Higgins include UNITE HERE Local 355, SAVE Action PAC, LiUNA Local 1652, SEIU 32BJ, Equality Florida Action PAC, EMILY’s List and Ruth’s List Florida.
The new endorsements Tuesday also come two days before SAVE Action PAC and Equality Florida Action PAC, two leading LGBTQ advocacy organizations, launch a joint project supporting Higgins’ campaign. A press conference to kick off the initiative, “Turn Out Miami,” is set for 1 p.m. Thursday at R House Wynwood.
Higgins is one of 13 candidates running to succeed term-limited Mayor Francis Suarez.
Other Democrats in the race include former Miami Commissioner Ken Russell, Ellijah Bowdre and Michael Hepburn.
Republicans running for Mayor include Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo, former Miami Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla, former City Manager Emilio González, Christian Cevallos, Alyssa Crocker and June Savage.
Candidates Laura Anderson, Kenneth DeSantis and former Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez, who previously served as a Miami-Dade Commissioner and is the current Mayor’s father, have no party affiliation.
Miami’s elections are technically nonpartisan.
The General Election is Nov. 4.
If no candidate in a given race receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will compete in a runoff.