Miami mayor race heads to runoff featuring Dem against DeSantis-endorsed candidate

MIAMI — The race for the next mayor of Miami comes down to a contest between a rising Democratic county commissioner and a candidate endorsed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Miamians on Tuesday selected County Commissioner Eileen Higgins and former city manager Emílio González among 13 candidates. Because neither Higgins nor González reached the 50-percent threshold needed to declare victory, they’re headed for a runoff on Dec. 9.

hough the role of Miami mayor is technically nonpartisan, pressure is now on for Democrats to show they can still compete in Florida, a state that has become increasingly red since DeSantis was elected governor in 2018. The victory for González — who defeated numerous other Republicans in the race — also represents a win for DeSantis, though the runoff will further test the governor’s clout in the city. While he was once seen as a prominent candidate for president, DeSantis’ political future remains murky, as a new governor will be elected in the 2026 midterms.

González, a partner and senior adviser at an asset management firm, is all-in on DeSantis’ push to end property taxes on primary homes. Should he win in November, he could provide the governor with an effective local messenger to help make the push for abolishing the tax, which lawmakers are weighing putting before voters in a 2026 ballot referendum.


https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/04/miami-mayor-election-higgins-gonzalez-00636777