Boosted by a motivated LGBTQ community, Eileen Higgins cruised to victory in the runoff election for Miami Mayor in what could be the proverbial chink in the Republican Party’s armor.
Higgins, 61, a former Miami-Dade Commissioner, received 22,142 votes (59%) to defeat Emilio T. Gonzalez, who finished with 15,097 votes (40%). Higgins’ win means that for the first time in nearly 30 years, Miami will have a Democratic mayor. Gonzalez, Miami’s former city manager, had endorsements from President Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Rick Scott. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) campaigned for Gonzalez in Miami, a majority Hispanic city where Cuban American men have dominated local politics for decades.
Joe Saunders, Equality Florida’s senior political director, said a backlash against attacks on LGBTQ Floridians propelled Higgins to victory. Saunders credited Turn Out Miami — a partnership between Equality Florida and SAVE’s political action committees — for delivering a big victory.
“Turn Out Miami had one job — to mobilize the growing block of voters in Miami who are infuriated by the attacks against gay and trans Floridians and are hungry for a leader who will treat them with dignity,” Saunders posted on Facebook.
It was unclear just how many lavender votes the coalition secured for Higgins, but data from the supervisor of elections office shows the Higgins campaign nearly doubled Gonzalez in votes by mail.
Higgins’ triumph was noted across the country as a sign that perhaps the political winds are changing. Pete Buttigieg, the former Transportation Secretary, rumored to be preparing another presidential campaign, chimed in from Michigan: “She understands what politics is about: building a safer, more affordable and better everyday life.”
Higgins said Miami needed a fresh start and promised to end the “chaos and corruption” of the previous administration under Francis Suarez.
“I will lead a government that works for everyone — one that listens, acts and delivers,” she said.
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