Miami Mayoral Race Heads to December Runoff

Miami’s crowded mayoral race has narrowed to two finalists: Eileen Higgins and Emilio T. Gonzalez, who will face off in a December 9 runoff after emerging as the top vote-getters from a field of more than a dozen candidates.

With 96% of precincts reporting, Higgins led with 36% (13,325 votes), followed by Gonzalez with 19% (7,214 votes). They edged out former commissioner Ken Russell (18%) and former commissioner Joe Carollo (11%). Other candidates, including Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Xavier Suarez, and several newcomers, trailed in the single digits.

Higgins, a Miami-Dade County commissioner who previously ran for U.S. Congress, framed her first-place finish as a mandate for change. “Tonight, the people of Miami made history,” she said, promising a new era of transparency and accountability in city leadership.

Gonzalez, Miami’s former city manager and chief administrative officer, captured a solid base of support and will attempt to broaden his appeal ahead of the runoff.

The December election will determine who replaces Miami’s outgoing mayor and will likely center on issues of ethics, city management, public safety, and the future direction of Miami amidst rapid growth and repeated corruption scandals. Both candidates now enter a month-long sprint to mobilize voters in what is expected to be a tight, closely watched contest.