Miami has elected its first Democratic mayor in nearly three decades. Eileen Higgins, a county commissioner, won the mayoral race on December 9, 2025, defeating former city manager Emilio González by approximately 59 percent to 41 percent, according to preliminary results. This marks a significant political shift in a city that has been under Republican leadership since 1997.
Higgins’s victory is notable not only for its political implications but also because she is the first woman to hold the office of mayor in Miami. Her campaign resonated with voters as she focused on pressing local issues, including housing affordability, transit, climate resilience, and government transparency. In a city that has experienced substantial political polarization, Higgins’s win signals a potential shift in voter sentiment.
In her victory speech, Higgins addressed the broader political climate, stating, “We are facing rhetoric from elected officials that is so dehumanizing and cruel, especially against immigrant populations. The residents of Miami were ready to be done with that.” Her comments reflect a growing frustration among constituents regarding the tone of national political discourse.
The campaign featured significant national attention, particularly due to the endorsement of González by former President Donald Trump. In a post on Truth Social, Trump highlighted González’s experience in federal immigration leadership, urging Miami residents to vote for him, stating, “MIAMI: Early Voting is December 5th through December 7th, and Election Day is December 9th. GET OUT AND VOTE FOR EMILIO — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN.” Trump’s backing came as he previously won Miami-Dade County by 11 points in the 2024 election, although Kamala Harris narrowly secured victory in the city itself.
Despite the high-profile endorsements and the national spotlight, Higgins remained committed to local issues. Her campaign strategy proved effective, as she led a 13-candidate field in the initial round of voting held in November. Political analysts noted that while the mayor’s role in Miami is limited in terms of executive power, the outcome is still significant in a city where Republicans have dominated municipal governance for nearly three decades.
Higgins’s win aligns with a broader wave of Democratic successes in off-year elections, including the election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City. In recent months, Democrats have also achieved significant victories in gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey. Additionally, in Tennessee, a special House election saw Democrats narrow the margin in a historically Republican district.
National Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have highlighted the importance of Higgins’s victory. Jeffries celebrated the outcome on social media, stating, “No Democrat has been elected Mayor of Miami in nearly 30 years. Until tonight. Congratulations to Mayor-elect Eileen Higgins on crushing Donald Trump’s candidate! We are coming for the three South Florida Republicans next.”
As Miami heads toward the midterm elections, Higgins’s victory could serve as a bellwether for Democratic prospects in the region. While the mayor’s role may be limited, the message sent by voters in Miami is clear: there is a readiness for change in leadership and a desire for a shift in the political narrative.
