Eileen Higgins clinched victory in Miami’s mayoral runoff election, according to multiple reports, marking the first Democrat to win the office in almost 30 years and the first woman ever elected mayor in the city.
A roaring chant of “Eileen” erupted at Higgins’ watch party at the Miami Women’s Club after she was projected to win.
“Well, we did it,” Higgins told her supporters, the Miami Herald reported. “Tonight, history was made.”
While the Miami mayoral position is non-partisan, Higgins’ success was a major moment for Democrats, who have defeated GOP rivals in several 2025 off-year elections. It could also spell trouble for Republicans and President Donald Trump, who endorsed Higgins’ opponent, Emilio González.
Trump flipped Miami-Dade County, which includes the city of Miami, in the 2024 presidential election. But Democrats have pointed to their recent victories as a sign of what’s to come in the midterm elections next year as voters still face high food and housing prices.
Ahead of the runoff, Higgins came in first during Miami’s initial mayoral race on Nov. 4, where she garnered roughly 35% of the vote. González came in second with 19%. Since no candidate secured more than 50%, the top two hopefuls went head-to-head on Tuesday.
Miami is home to approximately 487,000 people.
Miami Mayoral-elect Eileen Higgins speaks to supporters as she celebrates her victory at her election night party held at the Miami Women’s Club on December 09, 2025 in Miami, Florida.
Higgins vows to serve Miami with ‘integrity and hard work’
Higgins told USA TODAY on Monday it would be an honor to be the first Democrat elected as Miami’s mayor in nearly three decades.
“We’re facing unprecedented growth, which is a wonderful thing to have, but that means you need a mayor that is focused on the housing affordability crisis,” Higgins said, adding that climate change is also contributing to significant flooding in the city.
“It’s a great responsibility. I am going to do it with integrity and hard work. Every day I’m going to keep the residents of this city in mind as I serve them as mayor,” she said.
Higgins focused much of her campaign on housing affordability. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Miami saw New Yorkers and Californians flock to the city. That caused living and housing costs to explode for residents – and was a key factor that fueled Trump’s win by double digits in Miami-Dade County.
When asked what this win means for Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, Higgins said candidates need to focus on their own communities. What works for residents in Miami may not be effective in a state like Montana, Higgins explained.
“That’s my advice to anybody running for office. Remember who put you in office, and work for them,” she said.
González concedes to Higgins after her upset
González, the Republican candidate, conceded the race around 7:30 p.m., just a half-hour after polls closed, according to the Miami Herald.
During his watch party on Tuesday at Meraki Greek Bistro, González told his supporters he called Higgins to congratulate her. He also told her “we’re going to get behind you,” according to the outlet.
“This has been the ride of a lifetime,” González told supporters gathered at the restaurant.
Democrats say victory in mayoral race is ‘warning sign’ to GOP
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin called Higgins’ victory in the Miami mayoral election another “warning sign” to Republicans ahead of next year’s midterm races.
Martin credited Higgins’ focus on affordability – an issue many Democrats have emphasized during 2025’s off-year elections – as a reason she picked up the seat.
“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 for working families across the country,” Martin said in a statement.
City of Miami Mayoral candidate Eileen Higgins, and former Chicago Mayor and Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, and Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried speak to supporters before she canvasses a neighborhood for votes on Dec. 08, 2025 in Miami, Florida.
Who is Eileen Higgins?
Higgins, 61, is a former Miami-Dade County commissioner who wears the label “La Gringa.” She served on a commission board, which represented a district that included the Cuban enclave of Little Havana, until this year. She was first elected in 2018.
Throughout her campaign, Higgins has focused on local issues and her previous record as a commissioner who helped expand affordable housing and secure funding for expansions of two rapid transit lines.
But even as she could make history as the first Democrat – and first non-Hispanic – mayor in almost three decades, Higgins said in an interview with USA TODAY she has relied on support from members of all parties and would govern with that in mind.
“I lead with my Democratic values, but I serve everybody,” she said. “I never asked you what political party you are, and I never asked you if you voted for me.”
Who is Emilio González?
González, 68, is a retired Air Force colonel who served as a city manager under Mayor Francis Suarez.
He had a military career that spanned 26 years, including Army Attaché to Mexico and El Salvador and a key post at the Defense Intelligence Agency. He is also a former director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, serving under Republican President George W. Bush.
Throughout the campaign, González has focused on fighting back against corruption and “cronyism” in the city.
When was the last time a Democrat was elected as Miami mayor?
Higgins would be the first Democratic mayor since 1997.
The last Democratic mayor to be elected was Xavier Suarez, who has switched parties throughout the course of his career in politics, first to become a Republican and then an independent. He’s the father of outgoing incumbent mayor, Francis Suarez, a Republican and key ally to Trump.
In the 1997 election, which was the second time Suarez was elected as mayor, his win was brief. The results were challenged in court and ultimately overturned. His opponent, Joe Carollo, a Republican, was declared the new winner.
Emilio T. Gonzalez, Director of Miami-Dade Aviation Dept., speaks during a panel discussion at the 2015 International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit in Miami Beach, Florida, June 9, 2015.
‘Complete and Total Endorsement.’ Trump backs González
Trump last month endorsed González after he came in second in the Nov. 4 race. While the Miami mayoral position is non-partisan, Trump weighed in to back the Republican.
Trump in a post on Truth Social, in which he misspelled González’s last name, said the Florida Republican would “NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
“As Miami’s next Mayor, he will fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Advance MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our now very Secure Border, SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Democrats hope to notch more 2025 wins
Democrats have secured several key wins throughout the 2025 off-year elections.
In Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger soundly defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome-Earle Sears in their gubernatorial race last month. The state is home to thousands of federal workers affected by the government shutdown and cuts made by Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency.
In New Jersey, Trump saw major gains in the 2024 presidential election. Still, Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill was declared winner over Republican businessman Jack Ciattarelli in their governor’s race.
While Democrats didn’t win in Tennessee’s comfortably Republican 7th Congressional District, Democrat Aftyn Behn cut into Trump’s 22-percentage point spread in the district. Behn lost by only 9 points to Trump-endorsed Matt Van Epps in their special election.
That’s the trend Democrats want to continue in Miami’s mayoral race.
The Democratic National Committee poured resources, including a bilingual organizing blitz, into the Miami area. Higgins has also gotten support from national politicians like former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who was also mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and Sen. Reuben Gallego, D-Arizona.
Miami Mayoral-elect Eileen Higgins speaks to supporters as she celebrates her victory at her election night party held at the Miami Women’s Club on December 09, 2025 in Miami, Florida.
When do polls close in Miami?
Polls opened at 7 a.m. in precincts across Miami. Polls are set to close at 7 p.m. Voters in line by that time will still be allowed to vote.
Alina Garcia, supervisor of elections for Miami-Dade County, welcomed voters back to the polls for the runoff after no candidate passed the 50% vote threshold in the Nov. 4 mayoral race.
“Runoff elections play a vital role in shaping the government closest to our daily lives, and every vote helps keep our democracy strong,” Garcia said in a statement. “Your participation is both meaningful and patriotic.”
South Florida to play big role in Trump’s 2026 plans
South Florida, where Trump made wide gains in the 2024 election, will play a key role in several big events next year for the president.
In Doral, which neighbors Miami, Trump will host the G-20 Summit at his golf resort. The property will also host the PGA Tour from April 30-May 3, 2026.
Seven World Cup matches are also slated to take place in Miami Gardens at Miami Stadium. Host country presidents have typically been involved in the World Cup games. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has called Trump a “close friend,” awarded the president with the inaugural “FIFA Peace Prize.”
Trump also regularly heads to South Florida to visit his golf club in West Palm Beach. While the events will take place in cities neighboring Miami, the metropolitan area will likely still play a significant role.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miami mayor race results: Dem Higgins beats Trump-backed González
