Miami voters have made a historic choice. On Tuesday, they elected Eileen Higgins as their next mayor. She won a decisive victory against opponent Emilio Gonzalez.
Higgins earned 59.3% of the vote. This win ends a long political era in the city.
She becomes the first woman ever to lead Miami. She is also the first Democrat to hold the mayor’s office since 1997. Furthermore, she will be the first non-Hispanic mayor the city has seen in over thirty years.
This election marks a significant shift for Miami’s political landscape.
Who Is Miami’s New Mayor?
Eileen Higgins is 62 years old. She is originally from Ohio. She moved to Miami in the early 2000s and quickly became involved in local community work.
She is not married and has no children. Her focus has been on her career and public service.
Her parents are named Cornelius and Patricia Higgins. Details about any siblings are not publicly known.
Who is Eileen Higgins Husband? Education and Early Career
Higgins studied mechanical engineering in college. She earned her degree from the University of New Mexico.
She later went back to school for business. She got an MBA from the prestigious Cornell University.
Before entering politics, she had a global career. She worked on major transportation and infrastructure projects. Her work was primarily in Latin America.
She also served in significant government roles. In 2006, she was the Peace Corps Country Director for Belize. After that, she became a foreign service officer with the U.S. State Department.
Her Path to Miami Politics
Higgins first won a seat on the Miami-Dade County Commission in 2018. She won a special election to fill a vacant position.
Voters liked her work and re-elected her in 2022. In 2024, no one even ran against her.
As a commissioner, she was known for supporting local institutions. In October 2025, she helped secure funding for the Bay of Pigs Museum in Little Havana.
Running for Mayor
Florida has a strict “resign to run” law. This meant Higgins had to quit her commission job to run for mayor.
She officially resigned on November 5, 2025. When she left, she was the longest-serving member of the commission.
She announced her run for mayor in early 2025. Mayor Francis Suarez could not run again because of term limits.
Higgins chose to qualify for the ballot by collecting signatures. She gathered 3,000 signatures from supporters instead of paying a fee.
Polls before the election showed she was very well-known. About 74% of residents recognized her name. She held a strong lead over her competitors.
What This Victory Means
Higgins will now prepare to take office. Her victory is seen as a major change for the city.
Her background in engineering, international development, and local government will shape her approach. Supporters believe her experience is what Miami needs for its future.
Her net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million. This comes from her successful careers in consulting and public service.
At 5 feet 4 inches tall, with light brown hair and brown eyes, Eileen Higgins is now the most recognizable political figure in Miami. Her story, from Ohio to the global stage to Miami’s city hall, is now the city’s story, too.