Eileen Higgins Wins Miami Mayoral Race, Breaking 30-Year Streak

Eileen Higgins has won the Miami mayoral race, marking a historic shift as she becomes the first Democrat to hold the office in nearly 30 years, according to NBC News. Higgins, a former Miami-Dade County commissioner, defeated Republican Emilio Gonzalez by a significant margin, with unofficial results showing her leading by 18 percentage points.

Her victory comes in a city that has been dominated by Cuban American Republicans for decades, signaling a potential change in the political landscape of Florida. Higgins emphasized her commitment to ethical governance and restoring public trust, stating, 'Together, we turned the page on years of chaos and corruption.' This election reflects growing resistance to the Trump administration's policies, especially on immigration, as Higgins campaigned against the backdrop of increasing concerns over deportations and economic issues affecting the immigrant community.

Her win is seen as part of a broader trend of Democratic victories across the nation, as highlighted by Laura Kelley, chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party, who noted a grassroots effort that included over 300,000 phone calls made in support of Higgins.

The election results may serve as a bellwether for the Democratic Party's strategy in the upcoming 2026 midterms, with national party leaders expressing optimism about the implications of Higgins' win for future elections in Florida.

The outgoing mayor, Francis X. Suarez, was term-limited, allowing this significant political change to take place. Higgins is expected to be sworn in as the first female mayor of Miami and the first non-Hispanic mayor since the 1990s, making her victory a landmark moment in the city's political history.