Eileen Higgins<\/p>\n
Age: 61<\/p>\n
Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering \u2013 University of New Mexico; MBA \u2013 Cornell University<\/p>\n
Current Role: Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 5<\/p>\n
Experience: 7 years in public office<\/p>\n
Website: eileen.miami<\/p>\n
Funds Raised: $1,300,000<\/p>\n
Overall Rating: A- (Excellent)<\/p>\n
Strengths<\/p>\n
\u2022 Only candidate with operational programs already delivering results.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Strong record on affordable housing, small business support, and equity-minded resilience.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Understands climate gentrification and its impact on Black neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
Areas for Growth<\/p>\n
\u2022 Civic engagement could include more formal, standing advisory structures.<\/p>\n
Signature Policy \/ Big Idea<\/p>\n
Climate Gentrification Framework \u2013 explicitly aligns resiliency, anti-displacement, and development so adaptation does not become a driver of displacement.<\/p>\n
Scores<\/p>\n
Qualifications: A\u00a0<\/p>\n
Policy Vision & Feasibility: A\u00a0<\/p>\n
Community Impact: B+<\/p>\n
Implementation Feasibility: B+<\/p>\n
Equity & Leadership: A+\u00a0<\/p>\n
Top 3 Priorities<\/p>\n
1. Building Generational Wealth \/ Building Businesses<\/p>\n
2. Foster an Affordable & Prosperous Miami<\/p>\n
3. Enhance Transit Experience, Connected Community<\/p>\n
First-Year Plan<\/p>\n
Eileen Higgins\u2019s first-year plan builds on her existing county-level programs \u2014 expanding ELEVATE-style small business support citywide, accelerating permitting tied to mixed-income housing, and embedding climate\/anti-displacement protections in neighborhoods like Liberty City, Overtown, and Little Haiti.<\/p>\n
In Their Words \u2013 Affordable Housing<\/p>\n
Collaborating with neighborhoods is essential to understanding development needs, promoting anti-displacement policies, and rebuilding trust in City Hall. Mixed-income developments help ensure lower-income residents live in dignified housing within economically vibrant neighborhoods with access to jobs and groceries.<\/p>\n
In Overtown, new developments now allow residents to walk to a grocery store in a neighborhood long recognized as a food desert. In Little Haiti, we must offset gentrification by expanding rental assistance and protecting longtime homeowners.<\/p>\n
Citywide, we need workforce housing to retain young residents and prevent brain drain as part of complete neighborhoods\u2014supported by faster permitting, green spaces, climate-mitigating trees, and better transit access. Climate gentrification also affects Liberty City, Overtown, and Little Haiti. 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.<\/p>\n
This dual approach strengthens all neighborhoods equally and ensures climate adaptation doesn\u2019t become a tool for displacement.<\/p>\n
In Their Words \u2013 Economic Empowerment<\/p>\n
Miami is a community of small businesses, and the city’s budget is large. Black businesses of all sizes should have access to procurements and contracts for city services and projects. However, small businesses often need technical support and access to capital to seize these opportunities.<\/p>\n
That’s why I launched ELEVATE District 5 to support small businesses in a district with stark inequality. Through ELEVATE, we’ve trained over 1,000 businesses, including more than 100 small businesses in Little Havana to successfully access county contracts. We’ve provided training in AI, online marketing, and financial management, while creating the $25 million RISE Miami-Dade Fund to ensure minority-owned businesses have access to capital.<\/p>\n
As Mayor, I’ll bring this proven program citywide, ensuring Black businesses across Miami can compete for and win city contracts. Access to government contracts is a key topic at the upcoming ELEVATE Small Business Conference on October 24th, where we’ll continue equipping entrepreneurs with the tools they need to build generational wealth through business ownership and government procurement opportunities.<\/p>\n
In Their Words \u2013 Civic Engagement<\/p>\n
To truly understand community concerns and priorities, you must be present. I regularly attend neighborhood and homeowners association meetings, and connect with neighborhood chambers of commerce to listen firsthand to each area’s unique needs.<\/p>\n
Churches are often where people first seek advice, making relationships with church leaders essential to understanding the deep needs of both neighborhoods and families. I visit vibrant local parks in Miami’s African-American communities where families gather, attend services at neighborhood churches with passionate congregations, and dine at restaurants that serve as social hubs.<\/p>\n
These interactions enable meaningful conversations with neighbors about their experiences and priorities. I stay informed by reading the Miami Times and other African-American media outlets that provide valuable perspectives on local issues. Recently, I participated in a meeting hosted by the Black Owned Media Alliance (BOMA), bringing together influential community voices. It was an opportunity to learn about pressing issues that matter to them while introducing myself and fostering mutual understanding.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ken Russell<\/p>\n
Age: 52<\/p>\n
Education: B.S. Business Administration \u2013 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Additional studies in International Business at Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan<\/p>\n
Current Role: Self-employed consultant<\/p>\n
Experience: 7 years in public office<\/p>\n
Website: kenrussellformayor.com<\/a><\/p>\n Funds Raised: $231,000<\/p>\n Overall Rating: B (Strong)<\/p>\n Strengths<\/p>\n \u2022 Proven track record: created Florida\u2019s only managed mangrove park and pushed housing affordability tools.<\/p>\n \u2022 Champion of inclusionary zoning in Florida.<\/p>\n \u2022 Understands West Grove, District 5 dynamics, and anti-displacement needs.<\/p>\n Areas for Growth<\/p>\n \u2022 Several priorities depend on county or state cooperation.<\/p>\n Signature Policy \/ Big Idea<\/p>\n Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning \u2013 only Florida legislator to implement a mandatory IZ that requires affordability in new towers, with a version adaptable to District 5.<\/p>\n Scores<\/p>\n Qualifications: B<\/p>\n Policy Vision & Feasibility: B+<\/p>\n Community Impact: B<\/p>\n Implementation Feasibility: C+<\/p>\n Equity & Leadership: B+<\/p>\n Top 3 Priorities<\/p>\n 1. Helping People Stay in Their Homes<\/p>\n 2. Expansion of Community Redevelopment Agencies<\/p>\n 3. Reform Corruption in City Hall<\/p>\n First-Year Plan<\/p>\n Ken Russell\u2019s first-year agenda centers on immediate housing stabilization, reopening NET offices with mayoral hours in underserved Black neighborhoods, and codifying local\/minority hiring in city deals despite state-level headwinds.<\/p>\n In Their Words \u2013 Affordable Housing<\/p>\n Preservation of housing is most important and helps existing residents stay in their homes through funded improvements and lowered taxes. Creation of new housing is more complicated than just allowing builders to build more.<\/p>\n I am the champion of Inclusionary Zoning and the only legislator to have created a mandatory IZ in the state of FL. This mandates a percentage of affordability in all new towers in that zone. There is a version that would apply to District 5 that would allow for investment in the community without displacement.<\/p>\n In Their Words \u2013 Economic Empowerment<\/p>\n The City can implement requirements on its land and in all its contracts and development deals to prioritize local hiring and contracting with minority applicants. This should be codified for all deals rather than negotiated on a piecemeal basis.<\/p>\n The impediment is the state and federal push against inclusionary policies and DEI. Miami needs a leader that will stand up to these discriminatory policies and level the playing field in our city.<\/p>\n In Their Words \u2013 Civic Engagement<\/p>\n I would reopen the NET offices and include Mayoral office hours in those locations that are located in communities like D5 that are farther from City Hall and often underserved.<\/p>\n As Commissioner, I mandated an Environmental Justice seat on the Climate Resilience Committee so that Black voices would be at the table to address Climate Gentrification. Appointing more social justice specific members to boards will ensure Black representation in decision-making.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Michael Hepburn<\/p>\n Age: 43<\/p>\n Education: Master of Science \u2013 Florida International University<\/p>\n Current Role: Director \u2013 Hornets Sports & Entertainment<\/p>\n Experience: 20 years of community and civic engagement<\/p>\n Website: michaelhepburn.com<\/a><\/p>\n Funds Raised: $100,000<\/p>\n Overall Rating: B- (Strong)<\/p>\n Strengths<\/p>\n \u2022 Most structurally innovative proposals in the field.<\/p>\n \u2022 Excellent civic empowerment and resident-education concepts (Citizen Miami Academy, Initiative).<\/p>\n \u2022 Detailed affordable housing production and preservation agenda.<\/p>\n Areas for Growth<\/p>\n \u2022 Needs to specify the nature of 20 years of service.<\/p>\n \u2022 Many reforms will require strong administrative follow-through.<\/p>\n Signature Policy \/ Big Idea<\/p>\n Triple Structural Reform \u2013 (1) Activating Charter powers, (2) empowering voters directly, and (3) building economic innovation capacity inside city government.<\/p>\n Scores<\/p>\n Qualifications: C+\u00a0<\/p>\n Policy Vision & Feasibility: B<\/p>\n Community Impact: C+<\/p>\n Implementation Feasibility: A-\u00a0<\/p>\n Equity & Leadership: B+\u00a0<\/p>\n Top 3 Priorities<\/p>\n 1. Rehab, Develop & Preserve Affordable Housing<\/p>\n 2. Enhance our Neighborhoods & Public Safety Measures!<\/p>\n 3. Uplift our Children and Seniors!<\/p>\n First-Year Plan<\/p>\n Michael Hepburn\u2019s first-year priorities focus on passing a Miami Affordable Housing Master Plan, standing up the Miami Legacy Business Project, and activating Section 5 of the Charter so residents can move stalled public-interest policy.<\/p>\n In Their Words \u2013 Affordable Housing<\/p>\n Pass a Miami Affordable Housing Master Plan {which includes} Rehabbing and Developing 9,000 Affordable Housing units and mutually beneficial Community Benefit Agreements. That work for both our communities and developers to create low-income rentals, workforce housing and Rent-to-Own mixed-use units. Funding homeowners preservation initiatives to assist with exterior & interior repairs to help our homeowners stay in their homes.<\/p>\n Utilizing city owned land to develop high-quality affordable housing projects that cover residents from all income levels. Community Land Trust concepts to build new developments and to keep our current subsidized housing units affordable for years to come.<\/p>\n Securing state, county, and municipal First Time Home-buyer initiatives to help residents with covering cost. Protecting naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) through financing the acquisition and preservation of such units to save them from market pressures and poor management.<\/p>\n In Their Words \u2013 Economic Empowerment<\/p>\n Launch “The Miami Legacy Business Project” to invest in our small businesses that have helped shape Miami’s culture for the last 25 years or longer. The program will provide financial and technical assistance to qualifying businesses, with grants ranging from $15,000 to $50,000. Our project will also provide an Online Miami Legacy Business Registry to recognize, track and support our businesses that have operated in the City of Miami for 25 years or more.<\/p>\n Empower innovation, advance businesses growth (large & small), and build talent through the newly-created Department of Economic Innovation & Development. Including developing Public-Private Partnerships, focusing on reskilling, and upskilling our residents with the tools needed to start great tech and high skilled jobs.<\/p>\n In Their Words \u2013 Civic Engagement<\/p>\n I will Activate Section 5 of our Charter called “The Initiative” to put the POWER back into the hands of our Voters, to directly adopt ordinances. We will NO LONGER WAIT for our City Commissioners to pass or implement the public policy initiatives that our residents urgently want and need.<\/p>\n Create CITIZEN MIAMI Academy to reduce the major civic empowerment gap in our city. Through our Miami Civics comprehensive curriculum — residents will learn about the inner-workings of our municipal government, paired with behind the scenes insights and education on how to advocate for the issues they care about. “305 Academy Grads” will finally understand how government actually works throughout our city.<\/p>\n BAN lobbyists, City of Miami vendors, and real estate developers from donating to candidates for Mayor or Commissioner. This ban will include making contributions directly or indirectly, including through political committees (PCs) or electioneering communications organizations (ECOs). Our campaign finance rule will be similar to the City of Miami Beach law.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Xavier Suarez<\/p>\n Age: 76<\/p>\n Education: B.S. \u2013 Villanova University; M.P.P. & J.D. \u2013 Harvard University<\/p>\n Experience: 40 years+ in public service (former Mayor; County Commissioner)<\/p>\n Website: xavierlsuarezformayor.miami<\/p>\n Funds Raised: $350,000<\/p>\n Overall Rating: C+ (Adequate)<\/p>\n Strengths<\/p>\n \u2022 Impressive credentials: Harvard MPP & JD; decades of executive experience.<\/p>\n \u2022 Long history of appointing Black leaders in public safety and administration.<\/p>\n \u2022 Attention to Liberty City, Overtown, West Grove projects.<\/p>\n Areas for Growth<\/p>\n \u2022 Many priorities require state action beyond mayor\u2019s authority.<\/p>\n \u2022 Housing, transit, and insurance proposals need clearer city-level mechanisms.<\/p>\n Signature Policy \/ Big Idea<\/p>\n State Catastrophic Insurance Transfer \u2013 proposes state-provided catastrophic insurance for government-subsidized housing to lower costs and improve feasibility.<\/p>\n Scores<\/p>\n Qualifications: B+\u00a0<\/p>\n Policy Vision & Feasibility: C\u00a0<\/p>\n Community Impact: C<\/p>\n Implementation Feasibility: C\u00a0<\/p>\n Equity & Leadership: C+\u00a0<\/p>\n Top 3 Priorities<\/p>\n 1. Increase the homestead exemption to $500,000.<\/p>\n 2. Extend all trolley services to the corners of the City, and make metro\/mover free.<\/p>\n 3. All government-subsidized housing has the catastrophic insurance provided by the state.<\/p>\n First-Year Plan<\/p>\n Xavier Suarez\u2019s year-one agenda is unusually specific on housing, transit, and insurance \u2014 but will require strong intergovernmental relationships to execute, especially at the state level.<\/p>\n In Their Words \u2013 Affordable Housing<\/p>\n Continue emphasis on SE\/Overtown Park West and remove all impediments to the building of the 4,000 units being built and rehab. In the West Grove, continue working with churches and the Gibson Memorial Fund to add approximately 300 units on existing lots close to the corner of Grand and Douglas. In Liberty City, ensure the second phase completion of Liberty Square, ensure quality construction methods, and add amenities like a basketball court proposed by former commissioner Spence Jones and NBA star Billy Johnson.<\/p>\n In Their Words \u2013 Economic Empowerment<\/p>\n As I did in the County, the minority and small business program should increase the self-insurance threshold to allow small firms to have the bonding requirements waived. As I did in the City (i.e., Bayside & Miami Arena), set a 50% goal of minority participation in all building projects.<\/p>\n In Their Words \u2013 Civic Engagement<\/p>\n The most important thing is for high-level managerial appointments to be inclusive as they were when I was Mayor, with three black police chiefs (Clarence Dixon, Perry Anderson, and Calvin Ross), as well as with my own staff in the County, who were majority people of color. The above record of inclusion caused the National Association of Black Public Administrators to give me their highest award in the 1990s.<\/p>\n James DeSantis<\/p>\n Age: 35<\/p>\n Education: University of Richmond School of Law, J.D.; Vanderbilt University, B.A.<\/p>\n Current Role: Associate Attorney at Cole, Scott & Kissane<\/p>\n Experience: 1 year in public service<\/p>\n