Eileen Higgins, a Democrat, has made history by winning the Miami mayor's race, successfully defeating a Republican candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump. This victory marks a significant turnaround for the Democratic Party, ending a nearly thirty-year losing streak in the city and providing a crucial boost ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
In her statement following the announcement of the results on Tuesday evening, Higgins declared, “Tonight, the people of Miami made history.” She emphasized the importance of this win, stating, “Together, we turned the page on years of chaos and corruption, and opened the door to a new era for our city, one defined by ethical, accountable leadership that delivers real results for the people.”
At 61 years old, Higgins will become the first woman to serve as mayor of Miami, a city with a majority Hispanic population. Throughout her campaign, she frequently addressed concerns regarding Trump’s immigration policies, highlighting the anxiety many Miami residents feel about potential detentions of family members. Despite the nonpartisan nature of the race, Higgins campaigned as a Democrat and ultimately triumphed over her opponent, Emilio Gonzalez, a former city manager backed by Trump.
In a gracious gesture, Gonzalez congratulated Higgins on her victory, stating, “I just got off the phone with our new mayor,” and pledged to support her administration. Before the election results were finalized, Higgins expressed her vision for Miami to the Associated Press, stating, “We’re living in the state of Florida, where people are building cages for our residents rather than affordable housing for them.”
This victory not only provides Democrats with a sense of momentum but also highlights growing concerns among Republicans in Florida. The Republican Party has traditionally found strong support among voters with roots in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, who often associate certain members of the Democratic Party with the governments they fled from. Over the past eight years, Trump and other Republican figures have capitalized on these sentiments.
As the political landscape shifts, some local Republicans are expressing frustration following the outcomes of November's elections, where Democrats achieved notable victories in New Jersey and Virginia. In those states, the winning gubernatorial candidates garnered significant support from non-white voters, a trend that reflects growing concerns over rising prices and the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies.
Although the mayoral position in Miami is largely ceremonial, Higgins has pledged to approach it as a full-time job. Miami, as Florida's second-largest city, serves as a gateway to Latin America and attracts millions of tourists each year. This global prominence provides Higgins with a substantial platform to effect change as mayor. Her campaign focused on identifying city-owned land that could be converted into affordable housing and eliminating unnecessary expenditures.