Miami has elected its first female mayor in a runoff election this week, a former county official who is a longtime affordable housing advocate favored by the real estate community.
Eileen Higgins defeated former City Manager Emilio Gonzalez in the mayoral runoff on Tuesday with nearly 60% of the votes.
“Tonight, history was made. Our city chose a new direction. You chose competence over chaos, results over excuses, and a city government that finally works for you,” Higgins said in her victory speech Tuesday night.
Nicknamed “La Gringa,” Higgins becomes the first woman to be elected mayor in the city’s history, and the first non-Hispanic and registered Democrat to hold the nonpartisan office in nearly 30 years.
She is entering the office with strong backing from Miami’s real estate community. Developers including Related Group, Terra, Swerdlow Group, Rilea Group and Pinnacle Housing founder David Deutch contributed to her campaign throughout the election, according to public filings.
Related Group and Swerdlow are behind some of Miami’s largest affordable and mixed-income housing projects, including the 465-unit Magnus Brickell and the 578-unit Sawyer’s Walk in downtown Miami.
Gonzalez, who received endorsements from Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump, reported about $25,000 in contributions from Little Havana’s Barlington Group.
“No more endless delays for families trying to fix a home or a small business trying to open. We will cut red tape, repair what’s broken, and modernize City Hall,” Higgins said. “We will confront the affordability crisis with the urgency Miami’s families need.”
Higgins campaigned on updating the city’s permitting system to speed approvals and using city-owned land for affordable housing. She also pushed for expanding mass transit, including the long-sought Baylink rail to Miami Beach, and improving climate infrastructure to reduce flooding.
Higgins will be sworn in next month as Miami’s 44th mayor, succeeding Francis Suarez, who positioned the city as a hub for financial and tech firms fleeing high-tax states during his two terms in the role.
“From safe neighborhoods and affordable housing to clean parks, thriving small businesses, and a City Hall that finally earns the public’s trust, we’re ready to get to work," Higgins said.