Miami Mayoral Showdown: Trump-Backed Candidate vs. Democratic Hopeful

Tue Dec 09 2025 17:15:11 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Miami mayoral race pits Eileen Higgins, a Democrat backed by high-profile national figures, against Emilio Gonzalez, a candidate supported by Trump and prominent Republicans. This election is seen as a bellwether for political trends among Hispanic voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

As Miami heads to the polls, candidates Eileen Higgins and Emilio Gonzalez face off in a significant mayoral runoff. Higgins, a Democrat, aims to break a nearly 30-year streak of Republican leadership, while Gonzalez seeks to bolster GOP presence in the Hispanic-majority city. Both candidates are addressing local issues as well as national concerns tied to immigration and housing.

MIAMI (AP) — A candidate backed by President Donald Trump and one supported by national Democratic figures face off Tuesday to be the next Miami mayor, in this sun-kissed city shaped by immigrants, where both major parties are watching for a glimpse into their standing ahead of next year’s midterms, particularly among Hispanic voters.

If elected, Eileen Higgins would become the first Democrat to lead the city of 487,000 in nearly three decades. A win by Emilio Gonzalez could help calm the GOP as it seeks to maintain a grip in Miami and show its strength in a Hispanic-majority place.

The Miami mayoral runoff — one of the final electoral battles before the 2026 midterms — comes on the heels of Trump’s influence in shifting the city’s political landscape markedly to the right. That has made Higgins’ candidacy a test for Democratic prospects in Florida and among Latinos in other places.

Notable Republicans like Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Rick Scott have endorsed Gonzalez, while Democrats such as Sen. Ruben Gallego and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel support Higgins. Higgins aims to address local issues like the rising cost of housing while also touching on national themes such as immigration reform.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez has campaigned for economic reforms and favors strict enforcement on immigration policies, citing a need for public safety. Both candidates are under scrutiny as Miami's electorate increasingly reflects a changing political landscape in Florida, spotlighting this race as crucial for future elections.