Eileen Higgins becomes first Democratic Miami mayor in 28 years

Higgins advanced to the runoff after leading the Nov. 4 general election with 36% of the vote to González's 19% in a 13-candidate field. No candidate received more than 50%, triggering Miami's runoff requirement. The first round drew minimal turnout as voters sorted through a crowded field of challengers seeking to replace term-limited Republican Mayor Francis Suarez.

Trump personally endorsed González and campaigned for him, framing the nonpartisan mayoral race as a referendum on his political movement. González was Miami's former city manager with deep ties to the Cuban American establishment. Trump won Miami-Dade County in both 2020 and 2024, making his candidate's loss particularly striking. The DNC and allied groups invested heavily, viewing Miami as crucial for building 2026 midterm momentum after Democratic gubernatorial victories in 🏛️Virginia and 🏖️New Jersey in Nov. 2025.

Immigration enforcement dominated the race's final weeks as Trump escalated deportation operations in Miami. Higgins told NBC News that Hispanic and Haitian voters expressed fear of their government. González deflected by saying immigration is a federal issue over which he has no control. Miami is home to the Krome immigrant detention center, which gained notoriety for overcrowding and subpar conditions during Trump's second term. Higgins connected the issue to local governance by emphasizing community safety and trust between residents and city officials.

Affordability shaped voter decisions in one of America's most expensive housing markets. Miami's median home price hit $620,000 in 2025, while median household income remained $44,581. Higgins supported building more affordable housing and criticized González for wanting to 'put a skyscraper in every corner.' González backed Gov. Ron DeSantis' plan to eliminate homestead property taxes for primary residences, a proposal that would cost the state billions annually. Both candidates campaigned on breaking from previous mayoral administrations' corruption and chaos.

The election almost didn't happen when Miami city commissioners passed an ordinance in Jun. 2025 to postpone the mayoral race until 2026. The ordinance gave incumbents an extra year in office and delayed the democratic process. González filed a lawsuit challenging the delay as unconstitutional. The 11th Judicial Circuit and Third District Court of Appeal ruled in his favor, finding the ordinance violated the 🌴Florida Constitution, Miami-Dade County Home Rule Charter, and City of Miami Charter. The courts' intervention forced the election back onto the 2025 calendar.

Higgins' celebration drew prominent Miami figures, including Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami Police Chief Manny Morales, County Commissioner Oliver Gilbert III, and 🌴Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, former Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, and Sen. Ruben Gallego campaigned or endorsed Higgins, bringing national Democratic attention to the race. The show of force reflected Democrats' view that winning Miami could crack open Republican dominance in South Florida.

The 2025 election marked the first Miami mayoral race to advance to a runoff since 2001. This reflected a competitive political environment amid Trump's second term and local dissatisfaction with Republican governance. Higgins succeeds Francis Suarez, who was re-elected in 2021 with 78.6% of the vote but left office facing corruption scandals. Suarez briefly ran for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination before dropping out. His administration's ethical problems created an opening for Democrats to argue for change.

González conceded Tuesday night and called Higgins to wish her well, telling WPLG-TV she ran a 'wonderful campaign' and that 'if she's successful, Miami is successful.' Despite Trump's endorsement, González didn't run as a Trump acolyte. He focused on local issues like fighting overdevelopment and aligning with DeSantis' property tax elimination plan. His concession reflected a pragmatic approach to local governance even as national Republicans mobilized against Higgins. The respectful concession stood in contrast to Trump's typical post-election behavior.