Key Takeaways
- Democrat Eileen Higgins was elected mayor of Miami in a stunning upset victory, reversing a run of recent Republican successes in Florida.
- Higgins’s victory is seen as a further strengthening of the Democratic position after successful off-year state and local elections last month.
- The election was largely focused on immigration, with Higgins presenting herself as a counter to President Trump’s policies.
- Higgins’s messaging resonated in Miami, whose inhabitants are 57% foreign-born, according to the 2024 census.
- The result is seen as a backlash in Florida against Trump’s policies on immigration and the economy.
Introduction to the Election
The recent election of Democrat Eileen Higgins as mayor of Miami has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Florida. In a stunning upset victory, Higgins, a former county commissioner, won the election by a significant margin, reversing a run of recent Republican successes in the state. This victory is not only a significant win for the Democratic party but also a testament to the growing resistance to President Trump’s policies, particularly on immigration.
The Campaign and Its Focus on Immigration
Higgins’s campaign was largely focused on immigration, an issue that is particularly pertinent to the city of Miami, whose inhabitants are 57% foreign-born, according to the 2024 census. Higgins presented herself as a counter to President Trump’s policies, which have included supporting the construction of the notorious "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration jail and moves to end temporary protected status (TPS) and humanitarian parole programs for various immigrant groups. Her messaging resonated with the voters, who saw her as a champion of immigrant rights and a leader who would prioritize the needs of the community.
The Republican Response and Endorsements
The Republicans, however, were determined to retain the office, and several party heavyweights lined up to back the Republican candidate, Emilio González. President Trump himself posted two endorsements on Truth Social, albeit with incorrect spellings of González’s name. The endorsements aligned González with the Trump agenda for "secure borders" and cracking down on "migrant crime." Despite these high-profile endorsements, Higgins’s campaign gained momentum, and she went on to win the election by a significant margin.
The Significance of the Victory
Higgins’s victory is significant not only because it marks a shift in the political landscape of Florida but also because it highlights the growing resistance to President Trump’s policies. The election result is seen as a backlash in Florida against Trump’s policies on immigration and the economy, which have had a significant impact on the daily lives of people living in south Florida. The victory is also a testament to the strength of the Democratic party, which has been working to rebuild and re-energize its base in recent months.
The Democratic Party’s Response and Strategy
The Democratic party has been working to rebuild and re-energize its base in recent months, and Higgins’s victory is seen as a validation of this strategy. The party’s chair, Ken Martin, saw the election as a bellwether, and the result has been welcomed as a significant win for the party. The Miami-Dade Democratic party chair, Laura Kelley, said that the result was a testament to the party’s stronger grass-roots effort and its ability to connect with voters on local issues. The party’s activists made over 300,000 phone calls in recent weeks in support of Higgins, which helped to mobilize voters and secure her victory.
Conclusion and Future Implications
In conclusion, the election of Eileen Higgins as mayor of Miami is a significant victory for the Democratic party and a testament to the growing resistance to President Trump’s policies. The result highlights the importance of local issues and the need for politicians to connect with voters on the ground. As the city of Miami looks to the future, it is likely that Higgins’s victory will have significant implications for the city’s policies on immigration and the economy. The result is also likely to embolden the Democratic party, which will see the victory as a significant win and a testament to its ability to connect with voters and mobilize support.
