Miami Mayor Election 2025 Results: Democrat Eileen Higgins Ends 28-Year GOP Hold

Miami has a new mayor. Eileen Higgins won the city’s runoff election on December 9, 2025.

Her victory ends 28 consecutive years of Republican leadership. She will succeed outgoing Mayor Francis Suarez.

A Historic Shift in Miami Politics

Higgins secured nearly 59% of the vote. She defeated Republican candidate Emilio Gonzalez.

This marks a dramatic political shift for the city. According to Hindustan Times, the GOP had controlled the mayor’s office since 1997.

Her win is seen as a significant Democratic breakthrough. It occurred in the traditionally Republican stronghold of Florida.

The campaign focused on local issues like housing and infrastructure. Voters responded to her platform of change.

Background and Agenda of Mayor-Elect Higgins

Eileen Higgins is 60 years old. She has a background in engineering and international development.

She served on the Miami-Dade County Commission since 2018. She resigned from that post to run for mayor due to state law.

Her professional experience is broad. It includes work with the U.S. State Department and the Peace Corps.

Higgins’ agenda for Miami rests on three pillars. Affordable housing is her top stated priority.

She also plans to focus on transit expansion and government efficiency. She advocates for cutting bureaucratic red tape to spur growth.

Her campaign highlighted a record of securing affordable housing units. She has also supported local small business grants.

This change in leadership signals a potential new direction for Miami, with the Miami mayor election 2025 results reflecting voter demand for pragmatic solutions to urban challenges.

Thought you’d like to know

Who did Eileen Higgins defeat in the Miami mayor runoff?

She defeated Republican candidate Emilio Gonzalez. The race was decided in a December 2025 runoff election.

What are Eileen Higgins’ main policy priorities?

Her key priorities are affordable housing, transit infrastructure, and streamlining city government. She has a track record on housing development from her time as a county commissioner.

How long had Republicans held the Miami mayor’s office?

The Republican Party held the office for 28 years before this election. Higgins’ win is a historic break from that long streak.

What was Eileen Higgins’ previous job?

She was a Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 5. Before politics, she worked in international development and as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer.