Democrat Eileen Higgins defeats Trump-backed Miami mayoral candidate
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Eileen Higgins was elected Miami's first female mayor and the first Democrat to lead the city in nearly 30 years. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Eileen Higgins was elected Miami's next mayor on Tuesday, according to AP, making her the first Democrat to win the post in nearly 30 years and defeating President Trump's endorsed pick.
Why it matters: The win for Higgins is a loss for Trump, who had tried to influence the outcome of the local, nonpartisan race, backing Emilio González, a Republican.
The big picture: Higgins, a former county commissioner, overcame the recent trend of Republican gains in South Florida — in an election right in Trump's Mar-a-Lago backyard.
- Higgins, who was backed by the Democratic National Committee, is also the first woman to be elected mayor of Miami.
What they're saying: "I've never been prouder to be a Democrat," Higgins told AP. "We're living in the state of Florida, where we have people that are building cages for our residents rather than affordable housing for them."
- "Tonight's result is yet another warning sign to Republicans that voters are fed up with their out-of-touch agenda that is raising costs for working families across the country," DNC chair Ken Martin said in a statement.
- Christina Diamond, CEO of the abortion rights advocacy group Ruth's List Florida, said Higgins "joins a growing cohort of pro-choice women leading cities, big and small, across the state."
- Among those to congratulate Higgins was U.S House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries: "Congratulations to Mayor-elect Eileen Higgins on crushing Donald Trump's candidate!"
Zoom in: Higgins and González both ran on anti-corruption platforms following years of political scandal and dysfunction in city government.
- Higgins also campaigned on improving the city's permitting process, upgrading its trolleys and investing in environmental resilience.
- González's priorities included rolling back property taxes, increasing the police presence and overhauling permitting and licensing.
Zoom out: Miami's mayoral race wasn't the only contest on Tuesday's ballot. Voters in the city also elected a new commissioner, while those in Miami Beach and Hialeah picked commissioners and council members.
Here's what happened in other local races, per unofficial results:
- Miami District 3: Rolando Escalona led with 53% of the vote to 47% for former commissioner Frank Carollo in the race to represent Little Havana, East Shenandoah, West Brickell, parts of Silver Bluff and the Roads.
- Miami Beach commissioner: Monica Matteo-Salinas, a city legislative aide, led 71%-29% over attorney Monique Pardo Pope for an at-large commission seat being vacated by Kristen Rosen Gonzalez.
- Hialeah, Group 3: With 80% of the vote, former city human resources director Gelien Perez easily outpaced medical research coordinator Jessica Castillo.
- Hialeah, Group 4: Florida International University student and former council aide William "Willy" Marrero led land-use specialist Javier Morejon 71%-29%.
Go deeper: See the candidates' priorities
Editor's note: This story was updated to add statements from officials and organizations reacting to Higgins' victory.