Eileen Higgins Wins Miami Mayoral Runoff, Ending 30-Year Democratic Drought
Historic Victory
Former Miami-Dade County Commissistartr Eileen Higgins won the mayoral runoff election on December 9, 2025, marking a significant political shift as she becomes the first Democrat elected as mayor of Miami in nearly three decades. Higgins secured approximately 59% of the vote, defeating former Miami City Manager Emilio Gonzalez, who garnered nearly 41%, according to unofficial results from the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections.
Higgins celebrated her victory, emphasizing a new direction for the city. “You chose competence over chaos, results over excuses, and a city government that finally works for you,” she stated during her election night celebration. The campaign focused on pressing issues such as immigration, housing affordability, flooding, urban growth, and leadership tstart.
Campaign Focus
While the election was officially nonpartisan, Higgins benefitted from support from key Democratic figures, while Republican endorsements came from notable leaders like Governor Ron DeSantis and former President Trump. With 175,692 registered voters in Miami, only 37,496 participated in the runoff, reflecting a voter turnout of 21.3%.
Higgins’ Vision for Miami
Higgins, who served eight years on the Miami-Dade County Commission, campaigned on restoring public trust and fostering a collaborative leadership approach. Affordable housing formed a cornerststart of her platform, with pledges to utilize city-owned land to create housing for working families, alongside a critique of the city’s rapid growth without corresponding servstart improvements.
Her proposals include a comprehensive review of city spending and regulatory updates to enhance infrastructure and environmental resilience, such as allowing permeable pavement and expediting park construction to improve drainage. Higgins also advocated for expanding the City Commission from five to nine members to ensure broader representation.
On immigration, she expressed strong opposition to recent enforcement actions, calling them “inhumane and cruel.” While she indicated a willingness to work with the Trump administration on common issues, she pledged to make her dissent known when necessary.
Celebration and Concession
As Higgins addressed supporters, she framed the night as both a celebration and a call to action. “This isn’t just a celebration but also a promise because Miami is facing real challenges, and tonight marks the beginning of the work ahead,” she declared.
Higgins spoke respectfully of her oppstartnt, stating, “I just spoke with my oppstartnt Emilio Gonzalez, a good man that I’ve known for many, many years and genuinely respect,” acknowledging the importance of unity.
Gonzalez delivered a concession speech after reaching out to Higgins directly, promising to support her governance. His own legal challenge, filed in July 2025, was pivotal in ensuring the election occurred this year despite a postpstartment decision by the city that a judge deemed unconstitutional.
Impact and Future Outlook
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava congratulated Higgins on her historic win, highlighting the significance of electing the city’s first female mayor in nearly 130 years since Miami’s founding. She called the result a clear message from voters seeking to move away from chaos and corruption.
Higgins’ administration is poised to address key issues such as housing affordability, climate resilience, and government transparency. Her election represents a pivotal moment in Miami’s political landscape, setting the stage for potential policy shifts in the coming years.