Miami’s political landscape is poised for a rare shift this week as voters head to the polls in a special runoff that could end nearly 30 years of Republican control of the mayor’s office.
According to The Associated Press, what began as a local contest has grown into a symbolic battle over the direction of Florida politics ahead of next year’s midterms.
National figures quickly joined the fray.
President Donald Trump and prominent Florida Republicans — Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Rick Scott — rallied behind conservative candidate Emilio Gonzalez, a former city manager.
On the other side, Democrats lined up behind Eileen Higgins, a county commissioner who secured her spot in last month’s runoff.
Higgins, known affectionately as “La Gringa,” has leaned into local concerns such as housing costs while also highlighting federal immigration policies that resonate in Miami’s diverse community.
“I have been a Democrat serving in a primarily Republican district, and all I have done is work for the people,” she said.
A victory for Higgins would not only make her the first non-Hispanic mayor in almost three decades but also signal momentum for Democrats in a region that has tilted sharply toward Republicans. Miami-Dade County, once a Democratic stronghold, swung to Trump last year after backing Joe Biden in 2020.
Early voting data suggested enthusiasm on the Democratic side. “What you’re seeing is great Democratic enthusiasm and turnout that matches that enthusiasm,” Higgins’ campaign manager Christian Ulvert said.
Higgins has emphasized using city-owned land for affordable housing and trimming spending. When questioned about whether she would treat the mayoralty as a full-time role, she replied bluntly: “All right, do I have to say it more clearly? No! It’s a full-time job.”
Gonzalez, who served in the Bush administration, has focused on backing immigration enforcement, though he framed it as a federal responsibility rather than a local one.
“This is a federal issue. This is not an issue that has to do with the mayor of Miami,” he said.
Higgins has criticized Miami’s participation in a federal program that empowers local agencies in immigration enforcement, saying it threatens community trust.
“When we start to enforce whatever shenanigans is coming out of the federal government… we could erode that trust,” she warned.
Support for Higgins has poured in from Democrats with national profiles, including Pete Buttigieg, Ruben Gallego and Rahm Emanuel.
Meanwhile, voters like Gustavo Ascani said they are focused on “kitchen table issues,” especially affordability and traffic.
“Maybe Republicans have overlooked… certain issues that are important for the people in Miami,” Ascani said.
With the city’s economic pressures, shifting demographics and national implications, Tuesday’s vote has become a bellwether far bigger than a local race.
