By Cristian Benavides
December 9, 2025 / 5:22 AM EST / CBS News
It’s been more than 30 years since Miami last elected a Democrat as mayor, but Democrats see a real chance to reclaim the seat and frame a victory as a rebuke of President Trump’s immigration approach.
“What I will tell our congressional delegation and every person serving in Congress and the Senate is this immigration, these tactics, they’re not only cruel, I grew up catholic, I think they’re also sinful,” said Eileen Higgins, the Democratic candidate and a county commissioner.
Higgins faces Republican Emilio Gonzalez in a runoff Tuesday. Gonzalez is a former city manager, ex–Miami‑Dade County commissioner and a one‑time director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under President George W. Bush. He has been endorsed by Mr. Trump.
“My opponent would like this to be a referendum on the president,” Gonzalez said. “I want our voters to make this a referendum on me.”
Though the contest is technically nonpartisan, national Democrats have poured in support for Higgins — an endorsement video from former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a visit from Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego and a canvass with Rahm Emanuel among them.
Higgins led the Nov. 4 election with 36% to Gonzalez’s 19%, but with 13 candidates splitting the field no one reached 50%, setting the head‑to‑head runoff. Early voting has shown Democrats outpacing Republicans by roughly 8%, a sign party officials point to with optimism.
Florida Republicans have sought to minimize the race’s significance. The state party chair noted that Vice President Kamala Harris carried the city of Miami by a single point in 2024. Still, a Democratic win in Miami — in Mr. Trump’s adopted home state and the future site of his presidential library — would be a symbolic setback for Republicans after Mr. Trump won Florida by more than 13 percentage points in 2024 and Miami‑Dade backed a Republican governor in 2022 for the first time in two decades. Statewide, Republicans hold about a 10‑point registration advantage.
“She’s certainly running a lot of high‑energy efforts on the ground there, bringing in a big coalition, bringing in all types of folks to support her. I certainly think she has a great shot,” said Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin. “Will be a big, big win if we win that.”
Mr. Trump weighed in Monday on Truth Social: “Miami’s Mayor Race is Tuesday. It is a big and important race!!! Vote for Republican Gonzalez. He is FANTASTIC! You can also vote today. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Demographics complicate the picture. The city of Miami is about 57% foreign‑born, according to the 2024 U.S. Census, and roughly half of those are naturalized citizens eligible to vote. While Hispanic voters nationally tilt Democratic, South Florida’s Cuban, Venezuelan and Nicaraguan exile communities have been fertile ground for Republicans.
Immigration policy has become a flashpoint in Florida politics. State troopers have increased enforcement, the state houses the controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center, and the end of Temporary Protected Status for more than 250,000 Venezuelans has stirred anxiety among long‑resident immigrants who are integral to the local economy.
“It is ruining our economy,” Higgins said, arguing for removing criminals while finding “a path to citizenship for people who deserve it and for an economy that needs it.”
Gonzalez criticized Higgins for elevating national debates in a municipal race. “They want to talk about things that have nothing to do with the city of Miami,” he said. “Why pick a fight about national immigration policy? Next, we are going to be talking about whether men should be in women’s sports.”
Higgins said she would cooperate with the Trump administration where interests align if elected but pledged to speak out when she disagrees.