Miami Breaks 28-Year GOP Streak: Democrat Eileen Higgins Elected as New Mayor

Miami has elected a new Democratic mayor, Eileen Higgins, marking a significant shift after 28 years of Republican rule in the city. Higgins secured a historic victory with nearly 59% of the vote in a runoff election against Republican candidate Emilio Gonzalez on December 9, 2025. Higgins, a 60-year-old native of Ohio, boasts a diverse background in international development, consulting, and diplomacy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico and an MBA from Cornell University. The new mayor's professional journey spans various sectors, including international development, consulting, and the U.S. Department of State, where she focused on diplomatic and economic-development relations with countries in Latin America. Higgins also served as a Country Director for the Peace Corps in Belize and held marketing and business roles in the private sector before entering local politics. Eileen Higgins made her foray into politics in 2018, winning a seat on the Miami-Dade County Commission from District 5. She was re-elected in 2022 and 2024, before stepping down in November 2025 to focus on her mayoral campaign. As a candidate, Higgins centered her campaign around three key issues: affordable housing and small-business support, transit and infrastructure development, and government efficiency and transparency. Her track record of policy pragmatism and grassroots community activism made her a front-runner in the competitive 2025 mayoral contest. With her victory, Higgins will succeed outgoing mayor Francis Suarez and become the new leader of Miami, bringing a fresh perspective to the city's governance and development.