Miami will elect the mayor’s successor this Tuesday Francis Suarez in a second round between the Democrats Eileen Higgins and the Republican Emilio Gonzálezin an officially nonpartisan race but one marked by national support and competing political agendas. Both candidates reached this stage after the first round of voting on November 4, in which Higgins received 36% of the vote and González received 19%.
Higgins61, a former Miami-Dade County commissioner, is coming to Election Day with a message focused on cost of living, housing access and institutional transparency. The candidate reiterated that the city government “needs leadership that is responsive to people and accountable without excuses.” He also stressed that his priority is “Ensure Miami remains livable for the families that support it“.
If she wins, Higgins will become Miami’s first Democratic mayor in more than three decades. His team noted that the city is experiencing a “pivotal moment” due to continued increases in property prices and economic pressure on residents and businesses.
Emilio González68, a retired Air Force colonel and former director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), presented himself as the option focused on public safety, economic growth and emergency management. The candidate explained that his military and administrative experience allows him “Make quick, fact-based decisions in critical moments“. He also claimed that his proposal “a commitment to safety, emergency response and responsible growth“.
González has the support of the President of the United States, Donald Trumpand the governor of Florida, Ron DeSantisSupport that the candidate says “reflects”Confidence in strong leadership that defends Miami’s interests at all levels“.
The election takes place against a backdrop of economic tensions. In a city of nearly 500,000 residents and one of the highest population densities among major cities in the country, housing costs became the focus of the campaign.
Higgins stated that Miami needs “Immediate solutions and clear decisions to reduce costs and expand the housing supply“. For his part, González emphasized that public security is the basis of economic activity, explaining: “A safe city will always attract investment and opportunities“.
The winner will be replaced Francis Suarezwho became mayor in November 2017 and briefly ran for president in 2024. This year, Suárez and three of the five commissioners unsuccessfully pushed to postpone local elections until 2026, arguing that the measure would “save public resources” and increase voter turnout.
The proposal met with widespread political opposition and was ultimately blocked. The inability to change the electoral calendar deepened the impact of the race between Higgins and González, which is trying to attract a diverse electorate with a heavy emphasis on the Cuban-American community.
Cuban-born González emphasized that his federal career “connects” him witha clear vision of public service and institutional responsibilityHiggins stated that his candidacy “a commitment to all communities in Miami, without distinction“.
Throughout the campaign, both teams insisted that any transition would need to quickly address housing, security and local government issues. Higgins explained that his plan aims to “working from day one to cover living expenses“. González claimed his goal was “Building a stable government focused on measurable results“.
With the vote scheduled for this Tuesday, the election will determine the course of one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States and end Suárez’s political cycle, which completes eight years in the mayor’s office.
(With information from AFP)
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