Former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins received Miami’s mayoral runoff election Tuesday, marking the primary time in additional than 30 years that the town has elected a Democrat as mayor.
Higgins secured 59% of the vote versus former Miami Metropolis Supervisor Emilio Gonzalez‘s almost 41%, based on unofficial outcomes from the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections. The win marks an finish to a aggressive race that started with a crowded 13-person subject.
“Our city chose a new direction,” Higgins instructed the cheering crowd at her election evening celebration. “You chose competence over chaos, results over excuses and a city government that finally works for you.”
Whereas the race was formally nonpartisan, Higgins had the backing of distinguished Democrats, whereas Republicans, together with Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Trump, endorsed Gonzalez.
Out of 175,692 registered voters, 37,496 forged ballots on Tuesday, a turnout of 21.3%, based on official data.
Higgins’ imaginative and prescient for Miami
Higgins served eight years on the Miami-Dade County Fee and campaigned on restoring public belief and bringing what she described as calmer, extra collaborative management to Metropolis Corridor. Inexpensive housing was a cornerstone of her platform. She pledged to make the most of city-owned land to construct housing for working households and criticized Miami’s fast progress with out corresponding enhancements in companies.
She additionally referred to as for a full evaluate of metropolis spending and proposed updating laws to permit permeable pavement and speed up park building to enhance drainage citywide. Higgins helps increasing the Metropolis Fee from 5 to 9 members, arguing that Miami’s legislative physique is unusually small in comparison with different main cities and leaves many communities underrepresented.
On immigration enforcement, Higgins voiced sturdy considerations, calling current actions in Miami “inhumane and cruel.”
Higgins celebrates historic victory
Cheers inside a Miami ballroom grew louder as Higgins stepped to the microphone Tuesday evening, newly elected as the town’s subsequent mayor.
“Well, we did it!” she exclaimed, drawing one other spherical of applause.
Higgins framed the evening as a turning level for Miami and reminded supporters that the celebration was additionally a name to motion.
“This isn’t just a celebration but also a promise because Miami is facing real challenges, and tonight marks the beginning of the work ahead,” Higgins stated.
She pledged to maneuver Miami ahead.
“No more endless delays for families trying to fix a home or small business trying to open,” Higgins stated. “We will cut red tape, repair what’s broken and modernize City Hall. We will confront the affordability crisis with the urgency Miami families need. We will make our streets safer by supporting law enforcement and strengthening community partnerships. We will protect Biscayne Bay.”
Eileen Higgins speaks with the media after voting within the runoff election in Miami on Dec. 9, 2025.
Joe Raedle / Getty Photos
Her imaginative and prescient was inclusive.
“We will lead a city that belongs to everyone,” she stated to cheers.
“A city where seniors can stay, younger people can build a future, immigrants feel welcome and respected,” she added, as the gang roared once more.
Higgins additionally famous that she had spoken together with her opponent.
“I just spoke with my opponent Emilio Gonzalez, a good man that I’ve known for many, many years and genuinely respect,” Higgins stated. “He cares about our community; that is what unites us.”
Distinguished Miami figures joined Higgins on the celebration, together with Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami Police Chief Manny Morales, County Commissioner Oliver Gilbert III, Opa-locka Mayor John Taylor and Florida Democratic Occasion Chair Nikki Fried, underscoring the historic nature of Higgins’ win.
Gonzalez concedes, displays on lawsuit
Earlier than delivering his concession speech, Gonzalez referred to as Higgins instantly.
“We respect you, and we will give you all the latitude you need to do great things,” Gonzalez instructed her.
At the same time as he conceded, Gonzalez acknowledged the authorized battle that made Tuesday’s vote potential. His lawsuit, filed in July 2025, challenged the Metropolis of Miami’s determination to postpone the mayoral election till 2026.
Requested Tuesday if he felt the lawsuit was price it, Gonzalez replied: “Absolutely, listen, think of the irony. I filed a lawsuit to have an election that I participated in and lost. OK? That should tell you that it’s much bigger than me.”
He had argued the postponement was unconstitutional and disenfranchised voters, saying solely the citizens had the authority to alter the date. A decide agreed, ruling the town’s vote to delay was void and unconstitutional. That call ensured the election went ahead in 2025, finally resulting in the runoff between Gonzalez and Higgins.
Levine Cava hails historic milestone
Miami‑Dade County Mayor Levine Cava congratulated Higgins, noting that Higgins is the primary girl ever elected mayor of Miami.
In a press release, Levine Cava referred to as the win a milestone for illustration and stated voters despatched a transparent message that they’re bored with chaos, corruption and rising prices.
She pledged to work alongside Higgins to ship a metropolis that “works for everyone.”
“For nearly 130 years since Julia Tuttle founded this city, Miami has never elected a woman as mayor,” Levine Cava stated. “That changes tonight.”
What’s subsequent?
Higgins will take workplace with a mandate to handle housing affordability, local weather resilience and authorities transparency. Her win alerts a shift in Miami’s political panorama and units the stage for important coverage modifications within the years forward.
