Former City Manager Emilo González just added another U.S. Senator to the growing list of notable political figures backing his campaign for Miami Mayor.
This time it’s U.S. Sen Ted Cruz of Texas, a fellow Republican and Cuban American who emphasized González’s heritage and commitment to public service as key to earning his support.
Cruz called González a “dear friend” and said it is an honor to endorse him.
“I know what freedom means to families like ours — and Emilio embodies that same spirit of sacrifice, resilience, and love of country,” Cruz said in a statement.
“A decorated Army colonel with decades of service in intelligence and diplomacy, he understands what it means to fight for liberty both abroad and here at home. Miami deserves a leader who will honor its proud Cuban-American story and defend the values that make this city and this nation great.”
The nod from Cruz comes less than a week after U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, Florida’s immediate past Governor, endorsed González.
Others backing González include 11 former police officials, former Miami Director of Human Services Milton Vickers, mixed martial arts star Jorge Masvidal and Emmy Award-winning reporter Michael Putney, among others.
Miami International Airport (MIA) workers union AFSCME Local 1542, construction trade group Associated Builders and Contractors, the Miami Young Republicans and Log Cabin Republicans of Miami have also endorsed González.
González said he is “deeply honored” to have Cruz’s backing.
“Our families’ journeys are woven into the fabric of this city — from exile to opportunity. But endorsements are words until they are matched with action,” he said in a statement. “I will earn every vote by delivering real results: accountability in government, safety in every neighborhood, and opportunity for every child in Miami.”
González is a U.S. Army veteran who rose to the rank of colonel and served as Director of Citizenship and Immigration Services at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under President George W. Bush.
He also worked as CEO of MIA from 2013 to 2017 and as Miami City Manager from 2017 to 2020.
He currently holds several professional and appointed roles, as listed on his LinkedIn profile.
González successfully sued Miami in July to stop officials, including Mayor Francis Suarez, from delaying the city’s election by a year, to November 2026. An appellate court then upheld the decision.
He is one of 13 candidates who qualified for the Mayor’s race. In an X post Monday, González said the top issue for residents this cycle is “ending corruption” at City Hall.
“Residents are tired of the circus,” he wrote. “We are better than what we have now. Let’s not settle for mediocrity.”
Other Republicans running include Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo, former Miami Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla, Christian Cevallos, Alyssa Crocker and June Savage.
Democrats running include Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins, former Miami Commissioner Ken Russell, Ellijah Bowdre and Michael Hepburn.
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.
The Miami Mayor’s race is technically nonpartisan.
Miami’s General Election is Nov. 4. If no mayoral candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will compete in a runoff.