The city of Miami has elected its first Democratic mayor in nearly 30 years, with former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins defeating a Trump-backed candidate.
Higgins, 61, also became the first-ever woman to be elected to the role after voters headed to the ballot box on Tuesday.
She secured victory over Republican Emilio Gonzalez, who had received the backing of President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Highlights
- Eileen Higgins becomes Miami's first Democratic mayor in nearly 30 years and the city's first female mayor.
- Higgins won with 59% of the vote, defeating Republican Emilio Gonzalez backed by Trump and DeSantis.
- Higgins campaigned on affordable housing and opposed Trump’s immigration policies, promising to voice disagreement when needed.
Eileen Higgins has been elected mayor of Miami
Image credits: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
While the race was officially nonpartisan, Higgins ran her campaign as a Democrat and challenged many of the Trump administration’s policies. Gonzalez had key GOP backing.
According to unofficial results from the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections, Higgins secured 59% of the vote, while Gonzalez secured 41%.
“Our city chose a new direction," Higgins said as she took the stage at her election celebration. “You chose competence over chaos, results over excuses, and a city government that finally works for you.”
In a statement to AP after her win, Higgins added, “We are facing rhetoric from elected officials that is so dehumanizing and cruel, especially against immigrant populations.
“The residents of Miami were ready to be done with that.”
Image credits: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Throughout the race, Higgins campaigned for more affordable housing and voiced concerns about Trump’s recent immigration crackdown.
She told CBS that she would work with the administration on some issues, but added, “When we disagree, I’ll make my voice heard.”
The race is one of the last before the 2026 midterm elections, and marks another key victory for the Democrats.
“Tonight’s result is yet another warning sign to Republicans that voters are fed up with their out-of-touch agenda that is raising costs for working families across the country,” Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in a statement.
Recent wins for the Democrats include Zohran Mamdani, 34, being elected as New York mayor in November.
Mamdani, Sherrill, and Spanberger all recently secured key Democrat wins
Image credits: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
After running on a campaign of progressive taxation and to make life livable again by lowering costs, Mamdani became the youngest person to be elected the city’s mayor since 1892 and is its first Muslim mayor, as well as its first to be born in Africa.
Like Higgins, Mamdani also beat the candidate backed by Trump in the race—independent Andrew Cuomo.
On the same night Mamdani secured his win, the Democrats came out on top in key races in Virginia and New Jersey, as well as passing legislation in California.
Democrat Mikie Sherrill was elected governor of New Jersey, defeating Trump-backed Republican Jack Ciattarelli.
Image credits: Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images
Abigail Spanberger also became Virginia’s next governor after defeating Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears by a wide margin.
She was the first woman ever to be elected governor of the state.
All of those candidates had one thing in common when it came to their victory speeches: their win had sent a message.
In California, Governor Gavin Newsom also had cause to celebrate after the state backed Proposition 50—a measure to temporarily override the independent redistricting commission and redraw the state’s congressional lines.
After those successes, Trump blamed the fact that he wasn’t on the ballot for GOP losses.
Image credits: Alex Wong/Getty Images
“‘TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT,’ according to Pollsters,” he wrote on Truth Social.
All the recent wins have Republicans feeling nervous ahead of the midterms, with both parties desperate to seize control of the House.
Currently, Republicans hold a slim majority with 220 seats, while the Democrats hold 213 seats.
For Democrats, control of the House represents the most direct check on Trump’s second presidency.
Regaining the House would allow the party to block conservative legislation, conduct oversight of the administration, and influence spending and foreign policy decisions.
For Republicans, maintaining control of the House would cement their ability to drive legislation and protect Trump’s political agenda.
It would also allow them to shield the administration from Democratic investigations and reinforce Trump’s influence over the party ahead of the 2028 presidential race.