Key Takeaways
- Democrat Eileen Higgins has won the Miami mayor’s race, giving the party control of the office for the first time in almost three decades.
- Higgins won 59% of the vote to 41% for Republican Emilio González, a businessman and former city manager endorsed by President Donald Trump.
- The race was technically nonpartisan, but the Republican-affiliated candidate had won every election since 2008, and an independent candidate won before then, locking Democrats out of the office since their last win in 1997.
- The election centered on issues such as affordability, Trump’s weakened political standing, and his controversial deportation agenda, which played a significant role in the city with a large Hispanic population.
Introduction to the Election
The Miami mayor’s race has been a significant event in the city’s political landscape, with Democrat Eileen Higgins emerging as the winner. According to NBC News, Higgins has won the election, giving the Democratic party control of the office for the first time in almost three decades. This victory is a significant milestone for the party, as the Republican-affiliated candidate had won every election since 2008. Higgins, a former Miami-Dade County commissioner, won 59% of the vote to 41% for Republican Emilio González, a businessman and former city manager who was endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Campaign Strategies
Both candidates centered their campaigns on breaking from the previous mayoral administrations in Miami and addressing voters’ economic concerns. However, they pitched different solutions to these problems. Higgins leaned on her role on the county commission to frame herself as focused on quality-of-life issues like affordable housing, infrastructure, and streamlining city processes. She argued that these approaches would help save the city and its residents money. On the other hand, González argued that he was the candidate focused on local issues like fighting overdevelopment and aligned himself with GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan to end homestead property taxes to ease the cost of living.
Nationalization of the Race
The race became nationalized in the final weeks, with both parties taking an active interest in the outcome. The Democratic National Committee sent organizational support to boost Higgins, and prominent Democrats with potential aspirations for higher office, such as Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, sent their support as well. Republicans, on the other hand, hoped to hold the seat and push back against a string of GOP candidates underperforming their 2024 marks in special House elections. The national attention drawn to the race was partly due to the significance of the election in the context of the 2026 elections, with issues like affordability, Trump’s weakened political standing, and his controversial deportation agenda playing a big role.
The Role of Trump’s Endorsement
González’s campaign was endorsed by President Donald Trump, which became a significant factor in the election. Higgins was deeply critical of Trump’s deportation agenda, telling NBC News that Hispanic and Haitian voters have been telling her they are "afraid of their government." Despite this, González deflected criticism of Trump’s immigration policies by arguing that it’s a national issue over which he has no say. In an interview with WPLG-TV in Miami, González said he called Higgins to wish her well, adding that she ran a "wonderful campaign." He also stated that if she’s successful, Miami is successful, indicating a sense of unity and cooperation despite their differences.
Conclusion and Implications
The outcome of the Miami mayor’s race has significant implications for the city and the country. Higgins’ victory marks a shift in the city’s political landscape, with the Democratic party gaining control of the office for the first time in almost three decades. The election also highlights the importance of issues like affordability, Trump’s weakened political standing, and his controversial deportation agenda in the context of the 2026 elections. As the city moves forward, it will be interesting to see how Higgins’ administration addresses these issues and works to deliver real results for the people of Miami. The national attention drawn to the race also underscores the significance of local elections in the broader political landscape, and the ways in which they can reflect and shape the national conversation on key issues.