Former Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins\u2019 bid for Miami Mayor now has the expressed support of U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Wilson \u2014 who has represented parts of Miami-Dade and Broward counties in Washington since 2011 \u2014 added her name to the list of people and groups backing Higgins, who hopes to become Miami\u2019s first Mayor.<\/p>\n
\u201cMiami\u2019s future depends on leaders who not only care about our neighborhoods, but who can deliver real results,\u201d Wilson said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Commissioner, Eileen Higgins has done just that \u2014 building affordable housing so families have stability, investing in small businesses to create opportunity, and making our communities safer for our children to grow and thrive. I have full confidence she\u2019ll bring that same passion and proven leadership to City Hall as Miami\u2019s next Mayor, making life better for the people of Miami \u2014 today and for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
The nod from Wilson adds to others from Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade Commissioners Oliver Gilbert and Danielle Cohen Higgins, Miami Gardens Sen.\u00a0Shevrin Jones, Miami Rep.\u00a0Ashley Gantt, South Miami Mayor\u00a0Javier Fern\u00e1ndez and former Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber.<\/p>\n
Labor groups like 1199SEIU<\/a>,\u00a0UNITE HERE Local 355<\/a>,\u00a0SAVE Action PAC<\/a>,\u00a0LiUNA Local 1652<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0SEIU 32BJ<\/a> have endorsed her too, as have LGBTQ and abortion rights advocacy groups Equality Florida Action PAC<\/a>,\u00a0EMILY\u2019s List<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Ruth\u2019s List Florida<\/a>.<\/p>\n Higgins said in a statement she is \u201cdeeply honored\u201d to have Wilson\u2019s support.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom fighting for working families to advocating for our children\u2019s future, Congresswoman Wilson has been a tireless and lifelong champion for our community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cHer endorsement means so much because our shared mission is clear \u2014 to create a city that\u2019s safe, affordable, and full of opportunity for residents and families.\u201d<\/p>\n Higgins, a Democrat who resigned from the County Commission on Nov. 5 in accordance with Florida\u2019s resign-to-run law, is competing in a Dec. 9 runoff for Miami Mayor against former City Manager\u00a0Emilio Gonz\u00e1lez, a Republican,\u00a0after neither secured more than half the votes in the city\u2019s Nov. 4 election.<\/p>\n