Gonzalez Pledges a 'City of Owners' to Counter Higgins' 'City of Renters' Pitch in Miami Runoff

Republican mayoral candidate Emilio Gonzalez is sharply criticizing Democratic opponent Eileen Higgins’ affordability platform, saying her approach will perpetuate a “city of renters” rather than expand pathways to home ownership. Gonzalez says his alternative will prioritize policies that help residents buy homes and build wealth locally.

The two advanced to a Dec. 9 runoff after no candidate won a majority on Nov. 4; Higgins received 35.96% of the vote and Gonzalez earned 19.47%. Higgins resigned her Miami-Dade County commission seat to run for mayor and has highlighted county investments that include nearly $3 million in small-business grants and projects that helped create nearly 7,000 units of affordable housing.

Gonzalez: Affordability Means Ownership

An Army veteran, former West Point instructor and business leader, Gonzalez argues that many of the city’s affordability initiatives focus on rental construction rather than expanding routes to ownership.

"She can point to some votes on a county commission to help put up a building here or a building there. But it really doesn't move the needle," Gonzalez said. "The affordability issue, it sounds very nice, but it means absolutely nothing because she really hasn't done much when it comes to affordability."

Gonzalez warned that Miami's housing market is out of reach for many residents: rents and sale prices far exceed wages for young graduates and working families. He said starter homes in Miami rarely sell for less than $500,000–$600,000, putting ownership out of reach for many.

Policy Differences and Proposals

Gonzalez framed the race as a choice between two visions: one that relies heavily on government-built rental housing and another that promotes ownership through tax relief and efficiencies. He has been publicly endorsed by former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott.

"She wants to create a city of renters. I, on the other hand, want to create a city of owners. I want property owners," Gonzalez said. "We can put money back in people's pockets through efficiencies, leveraging our resources and making this place affordable again."

He praised Gov. DeSantis' plan to eliminate property taxes and said he would pursue a similar agenda at the city level if elected. Gonzalez has argued that property taxes account for less than 7% of the city's budget and that efficiencies could be found to offset that revenue.

Gonzalez also invoked comparisons to other large U.S. cities and to countries where socialist policies, he said, harmed housing and local economies. He told voters he would work to prevent similar outcomes in Miami.

Outlook for the Runoff

Despite Higgins’ lead on election night, Gonzalez described the runoff as a close, generational contest and said his campaign expects a tight race and will continue to press its message to voters. The winner of the Dec. 9 runoff will replace term-limited Mayor Francis Suarez.

Higgins' campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.