Trump backs González in Miami mayoral race
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Emilio González. Photo: Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
President Trump wants to move the needle in the Miami mayoral race, endorsing Republican Emilio González against Democrat Eileen Higgins.
Why it matters: After Trump's unsuccessful endorsement of Andrew Cuomo in the New York mayor's race, he will again try rousing Republicans in a city where they are outnumbered by Democrats.
State of play: Higgins, a former Miami-Dade County commissioner, led all candidates in a crowded general election, receiving about 36% of the vote to González's 19%.
- Higgins and González must now compete in a Dec. 9 runoff after neither candidate received a majority of votes. The race is technically nonpartisan.
What they're saying: Trump — who has backed Miami political candidates in the past — announced his endorsement Sunday evening on Truth Social, promising González will "NEVER LET YOU DOWN."
- Trump, who misspelled González's last name, said the ex-Miami city manager would "fight tirelessly" to "stop migrant crime," maintain a secure U.S. border and cut taxes, among other actions.
González thanked Trump on social media, saying the president's "support sends a powerful message that our city deserves strong, common-sense leadership."
Friction point: The Higgins campaign responded Monday by questioning whether González supports the Trump administration's policies on immigration, tariffs and health care.
- "With President Trump's endorsement, Mr. González now has a series of questions to answer for the residents of Miami," campaign manager Christian Ulvert wrote in a press release.
The other side: In a statement, González said he supports securing the border and deporting "gang members, pedophiles, human traffickers, and violent offenders who put our safety and security at risk."
- "Following state and federal law, my office will work with ICE to prioritize safety without politicizing enforcement in close coordination with our police chief and Miami Dade County sheriff's office."
The intrigue: González, who was born in Cuba and served as the head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, said at a recent candidate forum that he expects federal immigration agents to treat Miamians with respect.
- "I will always defend my immigrant community. But I will never ever defend rapists, thugs, murderers and child molesters just to make a point with the federal government," he said, according to WLRN.
- Higgins responded, "They told us they were gonna go after criminals. But they're going after everybody," per the outlet.
What's next: Early voting is Dec. 5–7.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from González