Eileen Higgins, a Democrat has overturned almost three decades of Republican leadership in Miami’s top post.
Her victory over GOP-backed Emilio Gonzalez has created ripples ahead of the 2026 United States midterm elections.
Higgins, 61, now becomes the first woman to lead the city and the first Democrat to hold the office since the late 1990s.
The contest that brought Higgins into office culminated in a runoff where she earned 59 per cent of the vote, well ahead of Gonzalez’s nearly 41 per cent, according to the county’s preliminary results.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The margin — almost 19 percentage points — highlighted the result’s clarity in a city accustomed to competitive political battles.
Although turnout reached only about 21.3 per cent of registered voters, more than 37,000 ballots were cast in a closely watched race that began with 13 contenders before narrowing to its final two.
The contest was officially nonpartisan, but few races in recent Miami history have carried such overt partisan undertones.
Gonzalez had
the support of prominent Republicans, including US President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, while Democrats nationwide saw Higgins as a key opportunity to regain relevance in a city that has been inching rightward for years.
High-profile Democratic figures such as Pete Buttigieg, Senator Ruben Gallego, and Rahm Emanuel travelled to Miami in the final days of the race to help energise voters.
Higgins celebrated the outcome with supporters, telling them, “Our city chose a new direction. You chose competence over chaos, results over excuses and a city government that finally works for you.”
In remarks punctuated with applause, she added, “Well, we did it!”
Looking ahead, she reminded attendees that the challenges awaiting the next administration remain substantial.“This isn’t just a celebration but also a promise because Miami is facing real challenges, and tonight marks the beginning of the work ahead.”
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
She also publicly acknowledged her opponent, adding, “I just spoke with my opponent Emilio Gonzalez, a good man that I’ve known for many, many years and genuinely respect. He cares about our community; that is what unites us.”
The mayoral role in Miami is often described as largely ceremonial, with much of the region’s significant policymaking falling under the jurisdiction of the Miami-Dade County government, led by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
However, the significance of Miami’s mayoral title — particularly for a city that functions as a cultural and commercial gateway to Latin America — gives Higgins a prominent public platform.
Her victory has placed her at the centre of political discussions both locally and nationally,
especially as Democrats prepare for a critical midterm cycle.
How Higgins connected with voters
A major theme of Higgins’ campaign was her criticism of the federal government’s immigration enforcement efforts, which she argued were creating fear in communities with deep family ties to Latin America.
Miami’s ethnic and linguistic diversity, shaped by generations of Cuban, Venezuelan, Nicaraguan and other diasporas, has made national immigration policy a local issue.
Following her win, she told the Associated Press, “We are facing rhetoric from elected officials that is so dehumanizing and cruel, especially against immigrant populations. The residents of Miami were ready to be done with that.”
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
This stance stood in stark contrast to the approach embraced by Trump and Florida Republicans, who have supported strict enforcement and linked Democrats’ progressive wing to political movements that some Latin American immigrants fled.
Miami mayor candidate Emilio Gonzalez, a former city manager backed by US President Donald Trump, waves as he thanks supporters after conceding to Democrat Eileen Higgins in Miami’s mayoral runoff election, at a watch party, December 9, 2025, in Miami, Florida, US. File Image/AP
In fact, some Republican leaders — now nervous after Democratic wins in
New Jersey and
Virginia — have been publicly questioning whether their coalition is as durable as once believed.
US Representative Maria Elvira Salazar, whose district includes parts of Miami and who has been a vocal Republican ally, cautioned her party in a video message, “The Hispanic vote is not guaranteed. Hispanics married President Trump, but they are only dating the GOP.”
Beyond immigration, Higgins focused heavily on affordability, infrastructure strain and frustrations with the city’s pace of development.
She pledged to use municipal land for new housing geared toward working families, streamline the city’s bureaucratic processes, and strengthen partnerships with police while expanding community involvement in public safety initiatives.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
In her speech, she promised, “No more endless delays for families trying to fix a home or small business trying to open. We will cut red tape, repair what’s broken and modernize City Hall.”
Environmental protection also featured prominently, consistent with Miami’s recurring challenges with flooding and its vulnerability to sea-level rise.
She assured voters that her administration will prioritize water quality efforts, saying, “We will protect Biscayne Bay.”
She also advocated for regulatory updates to improve drainage — such as adding permeable pavement options — and broadening Miami’s City Commission from five to nine members to address what she views as insufficient representation in a city of its size.
How Higgins got from the US Southwest to Miami
Born in Dayton, Ohio, and brought up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Higgins completed a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering at the University of New Mexico before pursuing an MBA at Cornell University.
She spent years involved in international development efforts and consulting projects focused on transportation and infrastructure across various countries in Latin America. Her background gradually steered her toward positions in public service abroad.
In 2006, she became the Peace Corps Country Director in Belize, a role that placed her in charge of coordinating development initiatives, volunteer deployment, and programme oversight.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Following her work with the Peace Corps, she transitioned to the US State Department as a foreign service officer.
Her responsibilities included assignments connected to Mexico as well as economic development efforts in South Africa, experiences that deepened her familiarity with cross-border issues, public-sector management, and the economic realities of developing regions.
After she returned to the United States, Higgins entered the private sector, contributing to marketing operations for major companies including Pfizer and Jose Cuervo.
How Higgins entered US politics
Higgins relocated to Miami in the early 2000s, where she joined community advocacy networks and became a known figure in local civic circles.
Her first major step into electoral politics came in June 2018, when she won a special election to the Miami-Dade County Commission after the departure of Bruno Barreiro.
She established her political identity by focusing on issues central to Miami’s daily life — housing affordability, public transit expansion, environmental resilience and neighbourhood-level improvements.
Her tenure included work on modernising Miami’s transportation system, including contributing to the creation of the Better Bus Network, aimed at reconfiguring bus routes for greater efficiency, as well as supporting expansions of the Metrorail and city trolley services.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
She also participated in securing resources for historic and community institutions. Her involvement in obtaining funding for the Bay of Pigs Brigade 2506 Museum and Library in Little Havana in October was aimed at highlighting her connection to the city’s Cuban-American community.
Her political career also included a brief period in which she announced a run for Florida’s 27th congressional district in 2022. However, she ultimately withdrew only days later, explaining that she preferred to avoid an intraparty contest with Annette Taddeo.
Over time, Higgins became one of the county commission’s most experienced members. She was re-elected twice, in 2022 and again in 2024 without opposition.
Her decision to run for mayor in 2025 required compliance with Florida’s “resign-to-run” law, prompting her to submit her resignation to the county commission effective November 5, 2025.
What next for Higgins
Immediately after the election, Higgins spotlighted inclusivity and accountability as the cornerstones of her upcoming term. She told her supporters that her administration would champion a city, “where seniors can stay, younger people can build a future, immigrants feel welcome and respected.”
From her perspective, the economic pressures burdening Miami families require structural reforms to how the city manages development, resources and oversight.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
With Miami’s status as one of America’s most globally recognised cities — a hub for finance, tourism, arts, and Latin American cultural exchange — the mayor’s office provides Higgins with a broad audience.
Even though Miami-Dade County handles many regional priorities, the city’s mayor remains an influential political voice capable of shaping conversations around inclusion, affordability, governance, and climate resilience.
Analysts view Higgins’ win as an energising moment for Democrats as they prepare for the 2026 cycle.
The party
has recently gained ground in various states and narrowed margins in Republican strongholds, contributing to renewed optimism. Her victory adds to this trend, particularly in a city that has recently leaned toward the GOP in national races.
David Jolly, a Democrat running in next year’s Florida governor’s race, reflected that sentiment, saying, “Change is here. It’s sweeping the nation, and it’s sweeping Florida.”
Also Watch:
With inputs from agencies
HomeExplainersWho is Eileen Higgins, Miami mayor-elect who ended 3 decades of Republican control?End of Article