Democrat breaks 30-year Republican streak in Miami
Eileen Higgins defeated Republican Emilio Gonzalez, who was backed by Donald Trump. She will become Miami's first female mayor, leading her opponent by about 19 percentage points and giving Democrats momentum ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
By Oleg Bazylewicz
December 10, 2025 · 1 min read
In Miami, for the first time in nearly 30 years, a Democratic Party candidate has been elected mayor.
Election result
Aileen Higgins defeated Emilio Gonzalez, who had been publicly endorsed by Donald Trump, ending an almost thirty-year streak of losses for Democrats in the city. After nearly all ballots were counted, her lead over the Republican stood at about 19 percentage points.
Higgins' position
The 61-year-old Higgins will become the first woman to lead Miami’s government. She campaigned actively among the city’s predominantly Latino population, criticized hardline immigration policies, and emphasized that she had heard reports of family members of local residents being detained.
We are confronted with rhetoric from elected officials that is so inhuman and cruel, especially toward immigrants. Miami residents were ready to put an end to it
– Aileen Higgins
Impact on politics
Higgins' victory gives Democrats an added boost ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Republicans are seeking to hold onto their positions in Florida, particularly in Miami-Dade County, where a sizeable portion of the population are Spanish-speaking voters.
Another warning sign for Republicans that voters are tired of their out-of-touch agenda
– Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee
- On November 5, Democrats scored their first notable victories since Donald Trump’s election; among them was the win by 34-year-old candidate Mamdani for mayor of New York.
- Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris indicated she might run in the 2028 presidential race.
