Eileen Higgins Wins Miami Mayoral Runoff, Becomes City’s First Woman Mayor

Eileen Higgins scored a decisive victory Tuesday in Miami’s mayoral runoff, defeating Trump-backed Emilio Gonzalez and becoming the first Democrat in nearly 30 years — and the first woman ever — to lead the city.

With all precincts reporting, Higgins captured 59% of the vote to Gonzalez’s 41%. The former Miami-Dade county commissioner ran openly as a Democrat in a technically nonpartisan race, focusing heavily on concerns over immigration crackdowns affecting Miami’s Hispanic-majority population.

“We are facing rhetoric from elected officials that is so dehumanizing and cruel,” Higgins said after her win. “Residents were ready to be done with that.”

Her campaign drew major national attention. High-profile Democrats including Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Ruben Gallego, and Rahm Emanuel rallied for her in the final days. Party leaders hailed the result as a sign that voters are tiring of Republican policies on rising costs and immigration.

Republicans, however, expressed concern about losing ground with Hispanic voters — long a key part of the GOP’s strength in Florida. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar warned that “the Hispanic vote is not guaranteed.”

Though Miami’s mayor has limited formal power, the role offers a prominent platform. Higgins campaigned on expanding affordable housing, cutting waste, and treating the job as full-time. Miami’s global visibility, she said, gives her an opportunity to shape policy debates far beyond the city.