First Woman and Democrat to Lead Miami City Hall in Nearly Three Decades

MIAMI — On December 9, 2025, former Miami‑Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins won the mayoral runoff election in Miami, becoming the first Democrat to hold the city’s top office since 1997. Higgins secured 59% of the vote, defeating former city manager Emilio Gonzalez, who had the support of prominent Republican figures.

Her election also marks the first time a woman will serve as mayor of Miami. The result ends a nearly three‑decade period of Republican leadership in the city’s mayoral office.

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Candidates at a Glance

Eileen Higgins — A Democrat and former county commissioner, Higgins has served in local government for over a decade. Her record includes initiatives focused on affordable housing, community services, and infrastructure improvements. In this race, she emphasized inclusion and policies aimed at supporting Miami’s diverse immigrant communities.

Emilio Gonzalez — A former city manager and Republican‑leaning candidate, Gonzalez campaigned on fiscal conservatism, property tax management, and alignment with national GOP priorities. He had high-profile endorsements from state and national Republican figures.

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The Campaign

The mayoral race in Miami is officially nonpartisan, but partisan affiliations were widely recognized. Higgins’ campaign focused on local issues that resonated with Miami’s electorate, including housing affordability, improved city services, and community engagement. Gonzalez emphasized economic management and city planning reforms, appealing to voters favoring continuity and conservative fiscal policies.

The election drew high voter turnout, with Higgins winning decisively in neighborhoods with high immigrant populations and areas where local service improvements were key concerns. Analysts note that demographic shifts and changing voter priorities likely influenced the outcome.

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Significance and Broader Implications

Higgins’ victory is seen as a landmark moment in Miami politics. The result reflects the city’s evolving demographic and political landscape and breaks a long-standing Republican hold on the mayoral office.

While local in nature, the outcome has drawn attention nationally. Miami has historically been considered a bellwether city in Florida politics, a key battleground state. Political observers suggest that the election may provide insight into voter sentiment heading into the 2026 midterm elections and beyond.

Higgins’ win demonstrates that local issues, community-focused platforms, and voter engagement can be decisive factors, even in cities with established partisan trends. The election may also influence future campaigns in other major U.S. cities with diverse populations.

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In Brief

• Eileen Higgins becomes the first Democrat and first woman mayor of Miami in nearly 30 years.
• She won the runoff with 59% of the vote, defeating Emilio Gonzalez.
• Campaign issues focused on housing affordability, improved city services, and community inclusion.
• The result reflects demographic changes and voter priorities in a key U.S. city.
• The outcome may provide insights for national political trends ahead of the 2026 midterms.

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