Story perspectives

Eileen Higgins Makes History as Miami's First Female Mayor

12/12/2025

Center

Higgins Wins Mayoralty

Eileen Higgins, a Democrat, won the Miami mayoral race, becoming the first woman and the first Democrat in nearly 30 years to hold the post.
She defeated Emilio González, the Trump-backed candidate, by approximately 60% of the vote.
Higgins emphasized housing affordability and government integrity during her campaign.
Her victory signals a significant shift in Miami's political landscape and could serve as a potential indicator for the 2026 midterms.

Right

Johnson Urges GOP Action

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson stated that the GOP's Miami mayoralty loss should be a wake-up call for Republicans.
Eileen Higgins (D-Fla.) won the election, signaling a shift in Miami's political landscape.
He noted Democrats outspent Republicans by 19 to 1 in the race.
Johnson urged Republicans to engage earlier in municipal races and improve ground-level communication.
He emphasized focusing on local issues like taxes and safety rather than party labels.

History

Historical Context

Miami's political landscape has shifted significantly since the election of its first female mayor, Joe Carollo, in 1993, which saw over 60% voter turnout. This trend continued with Eileen Higgins' recent victory as the first Democrat in nearly 30 years, reflecting changing dynamics in a city that has historically leaned Democratic but has seen Republican gains since the 2020 election.

1 of 3

Higgins Wins Mayoralty

Eileen Higgins, a Democrat, won the Miami mayoral race, becoming the first woman and the first Democrat in nearly 30 years to hold the post.
She defeated Emilio González, the Trump-backed candidate, by approximately 60% of the vote.
Higgins emphasized housing affordability and government integrity during her campaign.
Her victory signals a significant shift in Miami's political landscape and could serve as a potential indicator for the 2026 midterms.

1 / 3