Eileen Higgins Wins Miami Mayoral Runoff — First Democratic Mayor Since 1997, Seen As Momentum Boost for Democrats

Democrat Eileen Higgins has won the Miami mayoral runoff, defeating Republican Emilio Gonzalez and becoming the city’s first Democratic mayor since 1997, Decision Desk HQ reported. The race was officially nonpartisan and fills the seat vacated by Republican Francis Suarez.

Neither candidate won a majority in the initial November balloting: Higgins received about 36% of the vote and Gonzalez roughly 20%, forcing a runoff that Higgins ultimately won. Final runoff totals were called by Decision Desk HQ; official canvass results will be certified by local election authorities.

High-Profile Endorsements and Intense Interest

The contest drew national attention and endorsements from prominent figures on both sides. Democrats who campaigned for or endorsed Higgins included former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.). Republicans who backed Gonzalez included former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Rick Scott (Fla.).

What the Win Means

Democrats view the victory as evidence of momentum following better-than-expected results in recent elections and a notable performance in a special House race in Tennessee. Party leaders say an energized base and a focus on pocketbook issues such as affordability could help Democrats compete for House and Senate seats in next year’s midterms.

Ken Martin, DNC Chair: "This result is a testament to what Democrats can accomplish when we organize and compete everywhere, including in Miami. It is another warning sign to Republicans that voters are fed up with an out-of-touch agenda raising costs for working families."

Local Dynamics: Demographics and the Latino Vote

Miami-Dade County’s demographics were central to the story: Latinos and Hispanics make up about 70% of the county population, and shifts in Latino voting patterns have drawn scrutiny since 2020. The City of Miami narrowly backed former Vice President Kamala Harris in the last presidential contest, while Trump carried Miami-Dade County overall. Exit polling showed Harris’s margin with Latino voters was much smaller than President Biden’s advantage in 2020, raising questions about how those shifts could affect down-ballot races.

Higgins has sometimes been referred to in local coverage by the nickname "La Gringa," a detail noted in earlier reporting and mentioned by some community commentators during the campaign.

Why it matters: Beyond the mayor’s office itself, the result is being watched as a bellwether for how Democrats might perform in competitive, diverse jurisdictions heading into the midterms.

Updated at 7:43 p.m. EDT. Source: Decision Desk HQ; reporting compiled from local election coverage and campaign statements.