Political Shifts in Miami as Eileen Higgins Becomes First Female Mayor

Democrat Eileen Higgins has won the Miami mayoral race, making history as the city's first female and non-Hispanic mayor in over three decades. According to NBC News, Higgins' victory gives the Democratic Party control of the mayor's office for the first time since 1997.

The election result highlights a significant political shift in Miami, which saw a return to Democratic leadership after a period of Republican dominance. The Guardian reports that Higgins, a former county commissioner, won against Republican Emilio Gonzalez, who received substantial backing from major party figures, including endorsements from Donald Trump.

Higgins campaigned on immigration issues, positioning her election as a referendum on the Trump administration's policies, which have faced criticism in the immigrant-heavy community of Miami. Her message resonated with voters, particularly as Miami-Dade County, where 57% of the population is foreign-born, has experienced rising concerns over immigration enforcement and economic challenges.

Laura Kelley, chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic party, emphasized that the election was a response to local issues affecting daily life in South Florida, suggesting a grassroots revival of Democratic efforts in the state.

The outcome underscores a broader Democratic resurgence across the nation, as noted by DNC Chair Ken Martin, who described Higgins' campaign as a model of coalition-building and community engagement.