Former Miami‑Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins won Miami’s mayoral runoff Tuesday, becoming the first Democrat elected mayor in nearly 30 years and, officials noted, the city’s first woman ever elected to the post.
Unofficial results from the Miami‑Dade County Supervisor of Elections showed Higgins with about 59% of the vote to former Miami City Manager Emilio Gonzalez’s nearly 41%. Out of 175,692 registered voters, 37,496 cast ballots, a turnout of 21.3%.
Higgins, who emerged from a crowded 13‑candidate field, told supporters at her election night event, “Our city chose a new direction. You chose competence over chaos, results over excuses and a city government that finally works for you.” She framed the victory as both a celebration and a call to work, pledging to cut red tape, modernize City Hall, confront the affordability crisis, support law enforcement while strengthening community partnerships and protect Biscayne Bay.
The campaign focused on immigration, housing, flooding, growth and the tone of leadership at City Hall. Higgins, who served eight years on the Miami‑Dade County Commission, campaigned on restoring public trust and delivering calmer, more collaborative city leadership. Affordable housing was central to her platform: she pledged to use city‑owned land for housing for working families, review city spending, update regulations to allow permeable pavement, accelerate park construction to improve drainage and move to expand the City Commission from five to nine members so more communities are represented.
On immigration enforcement, Higgins criticized recent actions in Miami as “inhumane and cruel.” She said she would work with the Trump administration on shared priorities but would speak out when she disagreed.
Although the race was officially nonpartisan, Higgins had the backing of prominent Democrats. Republicans, including Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Trump, had endorsed Gonzalez. The two candidates faced off in a CBS News Miami debate on Nov. 25, giving voters a direct comparison of their visions.
Gonzalez conceded on Tuesday and spoke with Higgins before addressing supporters, saying he and his team would give her “all the latitude you need to do great things.” He also reflected on a lawsuit he filed in July 2025 challenging the City of Miami’s decision to postpone the mayoral election until 2026. Gonzalez argued the postponement was unconstitutional and disenfranchised voters; a judge agreed, voiding the city’s delay and ensuring the election proceeded in 2025. Gonzalez said the legal fight was “much bigger than me,” noting the irony that he had sued to force an election he ultimately lost.
Higgins celebrated with a diverse group of local leaders at her event, including Miami‑Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami Police Chief Manny Morales, County Commissioner Oliver Gilbert III, Opa‑locka Mayor John Taylor and Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried. Levine Cava called the result a historic milestone for representation and said voters sent a message that they are tired of chaos, corruption and rising costs.
Looking ahead, Higgins will take office with a mandate to tackle housing affordability, climate resilience and government transparency. Her victory signals a shift in Miami’s political landscape and sets the stage for policy changes aimed at addressing the city’s pressing challenges.