Overview
- The Dec. 9 runoff pits Democrat Eileen Higgins, the first-round leader with about 35.95% of the vote, against Republican Emilio T. Gonzalez, who took roughly 19.47%.
- Turnout in November rose more than 35% from 2021 yet stayed under 40,000 ballots, about 20% of registered voters, so both campaigns are focused on mobilization.
- Gonzalez, a Cuban American and former USCIS director, Miami airport chief and city administrator, campaigns on fiscal restraint, deregulation and public safety and is endorsed by President Donald Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis.
- Higgins, a former Miami-Dade commissioner, centers her bid on affordable housing, public services and anti-corruption and has backing from unions and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
- Polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Miami’s majority-Latino electorate—about 70% of residents, with party registration split and many independents—will test the power of Cuban turnout and cross-party coalitions.