Two more Democratic Mayors \u2014 one current, one former \u2014 are getting behind Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins\u2019 bid to become the first woman to hold that title in the city of Miami.<\/p>\n
South Miami Mayor Javier Fern\u00e1ndez and former Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, both former state lawmakers, are endorsing Higgins for Miami Mayor.<\/p>\n
Fern\u00e1ndez called Higgins \u201cthe kind of leader Miami needs \u2014 someone who listens, builds consensus, and always puts residents first.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve worked side by side on transportation and climate resilience, and I\u2019ve seen firsthand her ability to deliver real results for our community,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gelber, Miami Beach\u2019s immediate past Mayor, said Higgins is \u201cexactly the kind of principled leader the City of Miami deserves.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve 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 \u2014 delivering affordable housing, growing our local economy, and making government more accountable to the people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMiami needs a Mayor who has both the courage to take on corruption and the ability to get real results for residents. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to support Eileen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fern\u00e1ndez and Gelber join others backing Higgins, including Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava<\/a>, Miami Gardens Sen.\u00a0Shevrin Jones and Miami Rep.\u00a0Ashley Gantt.<\/p>\n Organizations also supporting Higgins include UNITE HERE Local 355<\/a>, SAVE Action PAC<\/a>,\u00a0LiUNA Local 1652<\/a>,\u00a0SEIU 32BJ<\/a>,\u00a0Equality Florida Action PAC<\/a>,\u00a0EMILY\u2019s List<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Ruth\u2019s List Florida<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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\u2019 campaign. A press conference to kick off the initiative, \u201cTurn Out Miami,\u201d is set for 1 p.m. Thursday at R House Wynwood.<\/p>\n