Miami’s mayoral race has reached a pivotal stage, with a runoff scheduled for Dec. 9 to determine the city’s next leader. Democratic County Commissioner Eileen Higgins and Republican Emilio Gonzalez, the latter backed by Governor Ron DeSantis, have advanced to the final round after no candidate secured a majority of votes in the initial election. This historic contest, which could result in the city’s first female mayor, reflects a deeply divided electorate and a landscape shaped by past controversies and political rivalries.
The runoff, mandated under Florida’s election laws, brings to a close a contentious electoral process that saw 13 candidates vying for the position. The current mayor, term-limited Republican Francis Suarez, will be replaced by one of the two finalists, who will face a stark choice in addressing the city’s pressing issues. Higgins, the former Peace Corps Belize country director and U.S. State Department Foreign Service Officer, has campaigned on restoring trust in City Hall by streamlining bureaucratic red tape and cutting red tape that stifles homeowners and small businesses. Her promise of affordable housing and improved infrastructure aligns with her emphasis on transparency and public service.
In contrast, Gonzalez, who was previously a bilingual surrogates for Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and later a senior fellow at the America First Policy Institute, has pitched his bid as a reform effort to modernize city services, lower property taxes, ease regulatory burdens for small businesses, and increase police presence. His campaign has underscored the perception that the Miami municipal government has failed its residents, with his message of vocational public service aiming to reinvigorate trust in local institutions.
The race has also been marked by legal and political challenges, including a recent ruling against the city’s attempt to delay the election to 2026 without voter approval. This decision, prompted by Gonzalez’s lawsuit, underscores the high stakes involved and the broader implications for local governance. While the focus remains on the final two candidates, the election’s outcome will carry significant implications for the city’s future direction, with Higgins and Gonzalez each representing distinct visions for Miami’s leadership.