Democrats celebrated a milestone victory on Tuesday as Eileen Higgins won Miami’s mayoral runoff election, ending almost three decades of losses for the party in one of Florida’s most influential cities. The Associated Press called the race for Higgins, a former county commissioner, who prevailed over Republican contender and former city manager Emilio Gonzalez.
Despite being classified as nonpartisan, the race evolved into a high-profile partisan contest, reflecting the deep political polarization playing out across the country. Both Democrats and Republicans viewed Miami as a symbolic battleground, channeling funds, ground operations, and national messaging into the runoff.
Gonzalez benefited from the backing of former President Donald Trump, who reminded supporters online that Miami’s mayoral race carried significant political weight and urged them to vote Republican. The state GOP also invested heavily in the campaign, hoping to maintain its foothold in South Florida.
Democrats, meanwhile, were buoyed by recent electoral successes, including substantial wins in last month’s statewide elections and an unexpected double-digit overperformance in a Tennessee special congressional race. Those victories fueled optimism that Miami could finally swing in their favor—and Tuesday’s results confirmed that shift.
Higgins’ win signals a notable political realignment in Miami and represents a significant strategic gain for Democrats as they continue to build momentum ahead of upcoming national races.
