Democrat Eileen Higgins Wins Miami Mayor’s Race After 30-Year GOP Rule/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Democrat Eileen Higgins won the Miami mayor’s race, becoming the city’s first Democratic mayor in nearly 30 years. She defeated Trump-endorsed Republican Emilio Gonzalez by a wide margin, signaling political shifts in the region. Higgins also becomes the first woman to lead Florida’s second-largest city.
Miami Mayor’s Race Quick Looks:
- Democrat Eileen Higgins wins Miami mayoral election by 19 points.
- First Democratic mayor in Miami since the mid-1990s.
- Defeats Trump-backed Republican Emilio Gonzalez.
- Race officially nonpartisan, but national parties heavily involved.
- Higgins is the first woman elected mayor of Miami.
- Immigration, affordability, and anti-Trump sentiment drove her campaign.
- Higgins is a Spanish-speaking, former Miami-Dade county commissioner.
- GOP losing support in South Florida amid policy backlash.
- Republicans warn Hispanic voters are not guaranteed allies.
- Higgins promises affordable housing focus and fiscal responsibility.
Deep Look
Eileen Higgins Makes History, Wins Miami Mayoral Race in Major Political Shift
MIAMI — Democrat Eileen Higgins won Miami’s mayoral race on Tuesday, breaking nearly 30 years of Republican dominance and delivering a high-profile victory for her party ahead of the 2026 midterms. Her win over Republican Emilio Gonzalez, a former city manager endorsed by President Donald Trump, marks a significant shift in the political landscape of one of Florida’s most symbolic cities.
Higgins, 61, not only becomes the first Democrat to hold the office in nearly three decades but also the first woman ever elected as mayor of Miami. While the race was officially nonpartisan, both national parties and major political figures paid close attention, treating it as a key test of political trends among Hispanic voters and in South Florida more broadly.
With nearly all votes counted, Higgins led Gonzalez by about 19 percentage points—a decisive win that exceeded expectations in a city and county where Republicans have made significant gains in recent years.
“This is a city of immigrants,” Higgins told the Associated Press after delivering her victory speech. “We are facing rhetoric from elected officials that is so dehumanizing and cruel. The residents of Miami were ready to be done with that.”
A Referendum on Trump’s Immigration Policies
Throughout her campaign, Higgins focused heavily on the impacts of Trump-era immigration policies. In a city where many families are directly affected by detention or deportation threats, her message struck a chord.
Despite the official nonpartisan status of the race, she embraced her Democratic identity, using it as a contrast to Gonzalez’s alignment with Trump. Her opponent, who had served previously in city government, acknowledged his defeat Tuesday night and called Higgins to offer congratulations.
Higgins campaigned on affordability, better housing options, and using city-owned land for public benefit. She also pledged to manage city finances more responsibly. Though the role of mayor in Miami is mostly ceremonial, Higgins said she would treat it as a full-time job with a hands-on approach.
A Shift in Political Winds
Miami-Dade County, once a Democratic stronghold, flipped to Trump in the last presidential election—part of a broader trend that saw Hispanic voters, especially those with Cuban, Venezuelan, and Nicaraguan heritage, shift rightward. Republicans have successfully drawn comparisons between progressive Democrats and the authoritarian governments those communities fled.
However, recent elections nationwide suggest that Republican support among Hispanic voters may be plateauing—or even reversing—especially amid ongoing concerns about affordability, border policies, and healthcare access.
Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, called Higgins’ win a warning shot to Republicans. “Tonight’s result is yet another warning sign to Republicans that voters are fed up with their out-of-touch agenda that is raising costs,” he said.
Backing from National Democrats
Higgins was supported by high-profile Democrats including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego. Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel even traveled to Miami to rally support in the final days before the election.
Her campaign tapped into deep local connections. As a fluent Spanish speaker who previously served on the Miami-Dade County Commission for seven years, she represented a conservative-leaning district that included Little Havana. Early in her political career, she introduced herself as “La Gringa,” a Spanish term for a white American, acknowledging the cultural bridge she sought to build.
“It just helps people understand who I am,” she told AP. “And you know what? I am a ‘gringa,’ so what am I going to do—deny it?”
GOP Reactions and Warnings
Some Florida Republicans are expressing concern following a string of Democratic victories around the country, including gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey. U.S. Representative Maria Elvira Salazar, whose district includes parts of Miami and is being targeted by Democrats, said the party can’t take Hispanic voters for granted.
“The Hispanic vote is not guaranteed,” Salazar warned in a recent video post. “Hispanics married President Trump, but they are only dating the GOP.”
That sentiment is resonating as Democrats like Higgins make gains even in areas previously considered Republican strongholds.
David Jolly, a Democrat running for Florida governor, praised the victory. “Change is here. It’s sweeping the nation, and it’s sweeping Florida,” he said.
Looking Ahead
Though the Miami mayor’s role is largely symbolic, it offers a major platform due to the city’s national and international prominence. As Florida’s second-largest city and a gateway to Latin America, Miami’s leadership garners global attention.
Higgins said her top priorities include addressing Miami’s affordability crisis, particularly around housing, and ensuring the city’s budget reflects the needs of everyday residents. She also pledged to improve transparency and cut unnecessary city spending.
Her victory offers Democrats more than just a win on paper—it suggests their message is beginning to resonate once again in Florida, a state that has trended Republican in recent cycles. For Higgins, it marks a milestone in a political career defined by persistence, connection, and an ability to bridge cultural divides.
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