Mandy
Democratic mayor Eileen Higgins made history on Tuesday night by winning Miami’s mayoral race, delivering a stunning upset that ended nearly 30 years of Republican control and signaled renewed Democratic momentum during Donald Trump’s second presidential term.
This upset victory breaks nearly 30 years of Republican control and reflects a growing wave of Democratic momentum across the United States during Donald Trump’s second term.
A County Once Leaning Toward Republicans
Miami-Dade, a region with a large immigrant population, supported Trump in record numbers in 2024, marking the first time a Republican presidential candidate carried the county since 1988.
However, voter sentiment dramatically changed in the runoff election, helping Higgins secure the mayor’s seat with a strong lead over Republican contender Emilio González, a former city manager.
Higgins advanced to the runoff with 36% of the vote last month and ultimately defeated González by a significant margin.
Heavy GOP Support For González
Republicans made an aggressive push to retain the mayor’s office in what is technically a nonpartisan race.
Several high-profile party figures endorsed González, including Trump himself, who posted two enthusiastic messages on Truth Social—both featuring incorrect spellings of González’s name.
His endorsements emphasized themes such as secure borders and targeting migrant crime.
Immigration As A Central Campaign Issue
Higgins centered much of her campaign on immigration policy, framing the election as a response to Trump’s controversial measures.
These included support for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention center, and efforts to roll back Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole programs for groups including Cubans, Haitians, and Venezuelans.
Her message resonated deeply in Miami, where 57% of residents are foreign-born, according to 2024 census data.
In an interview with El País, Higgins highlighted the divide between her policies and Trump’s:
“He and I have very different views on how to treat our residents, many of whom are immigrants. That is the strength of this community.”
Historic Firsts For Miami
When sworn in, Higgins will become Miami’s first Democratic mayor since 1997, when Xavier Suarez—father of former mayor Francis Suarez—held the position.
She will also be the first woman and the first non-Hispanic mayor since the 1990s.
Democrats Celebrate A Broader Trend
Democratic leaders across the country view Higgins’s win as another sign of their shifting political strength following major victories in statewide and local elections earlier in the year.
Ken Martin, Chair of the Democratic National Committee, previously described the Miami race as an important indicator for national politics, praising Higgins’s energetic grassroots efforts.
Local Leaders Credit Grassroots Mobilization
Laura Kelley, Chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party, said Higgins’s victory reflects the community’s pushback against Trump-era policies on immigration and economic pressures such as rising housing and insurance costs.
She noted that volunteers made over 300,000 phone calls supporting Higgins in recent weeks and described the outcome as evidence of the party’s rebuilding effort after years of declining voter registration.
Kelley added:
“When people said the Democratic Party was dead, we rebuilt. And we showed our community that we are not going to let them down.”
According to early results from the Associated Press, Higgins led González by roughly 19 percentage points on election night.
Eileen Higgins’s victory marks a major transformation in Miami’s political landscape. By breaking decades of Republican control and focusing on immigration, economic challenges, and community identity, she connected with voters who were eager for change.
Her win not only makes history locally but also strengthens the broader Democratic resurgence seen across the country.
As Miami’s first female Democratic mayor, Higgins’s leadership signals a new chapter for one of America’s most diverse and influential cities.
FAQs
Who is Eileen Higgins?
Eileen Higgins is a former Miami-Dade county commissioner and the newly elected mayor of Miami, becoming the first Democrat in 30 years to hold the office.
Why is her election significant?
Her win ends decades of Republican leadership and reflects a shift in voter opinion, especially on immigration and economic issues.
What issues shaped the election?
The campaign focused heavily on immigration policies, economic concerns such as housing affordability, and community identity in a city where most residents are immigrants.