The race to become Miami’s next mayor, officially nonpartisan but unmistakably charged with political undercurrents, has become a flashpoint for the city’s future—and, by extension, a microcosm of Florida’s shifting political landscape. On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, Miami voters returned to the polls for a runoff between city manager Emilio Gonzalez, the Republican favorite, and former county commissioner Eileen Higgins, who has become a standard-bearer for local Democrats. The outcome of this race, while centered on a city known for its vibrant culture and international tourism, carries implications that reach far beyond the city limits.
According to CNN, the contest has been shaped by national figures and issues, even as the mayoral office itself holds limited formal power. Republicans have rallied behind Gonzalez, hoping to extend nearly three decades of control over Miami’s mayoral seat—a run that has helped cement Florida’s reputation as a conservative stronghold. Democrats, on the other hand, see an opportunity to boost their standing in a state that has become increasingly pivotal in national politics. The stakes are heightened by Miami’s planned role as the home of former President Donald Trump’s presidential library, a project already mired in legal and political controversy.
The first round of voting, held on November 4, saw Higgins take an early lead with 35% of the vote, while Gonzalez trailed at 19%. This set the stage for a heated runoff, with both candidates sharpening their focus on the city’s most pressing issues. Chief among them: affordable housing. Miami is routinely ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the United States, with sky-high rents and home prices pushing many longtime residents to the brink.
Higgins has made affordable housing the centerpiece of her campaign, advocating for the construction of new units and increased support for low- and middle-income families. “My opponent is inclined toward building, building, and more building. She wants to erect skyscrapers on every corner of the city… then calling it affordable housing, which is a false framing, because in reality it’s rarely truly affordable,” Gonzalez countered during a recent debate, as reported by CNN. Instead, Gonzalez has thrown his support behind a plan championed by Governor Ron DeSantis to eliminate property taxes on primary residences—a proposal he argues would provide immediate relief to homeowners but which critics say could further squeeze the city’s already tight budget.
Immigration has emerged as another flashpoint in the campaign, reflecting both Miami’s diverse population and the broader national debate. The city is home to a large Latino community and the Krome immigrant detention center, which has faced criticism for overcrowding and poor conditions. The facility, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” and opened under DeSantis, has become a symbol of the city’s struggles with federal immigration policy. Gonzalez urged support for tougher federal legislation targeting “people who commit crimes,” while Higgins condemned what she described as “cruel and harsh” enforcement tactics. “This is the first time in history that residents tell me they’re afraid, right? I can’t spend an hour at public events without meeting someone whose brother, sister, aunt, or uncle has been sent to Alligator Alcatraz or who they even disappeared to? They don’t even know where they are,” Higgins said during a debate, as quoted by CNN.
While the mayor’s formal powers may be limited, the office serves as an important ambassador for Miami—a role outgoing Mayor Francis Suarez tried to leverage in his short-lived 2023 presidential bid. The city’s next leader will inherit not only the challenges of housing and immigration but also a high-profile legal battle over the land earmarked for Trump’s presidential library. The project, planned as a 47-story tower with a hotel, rooftop restaurant, and office spaces, is already being described as “breaking molds,” according to a report by BizPac Review citing Politico. The vision for the library is nothing short of grandiose, with plans to house a Boeing 747 provided by Qatar for use as Air Force One, a feature that would dwarf the single-story Boeing 707 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.
“Donald Trump’s presidential library, like Donald Trump’s presidency, is already breaking molds — and it hasn’t even been commissioned yet,” Politico reported, quoting anonymous Trump allies familiar with the planning. The proposed location—a prime site near the Miami Heat’s Kaseya Center and Biscayne Bay—has been called a “developer’s dream” by Miami condo analyst Peter Zalewski. The project’s design reportedly includes several floors dedicated to a traditional library, with additional levels for a hotel, office space, and a high-end restaurant crowning the tower.
Yet, the path to realizing this ambitious vision has been anything but smooth. In October 2025, a Miami judge blocked Miami Dade College from transferring the land intended for the library to the state of Florida at Governor DeSantis’s request, following a lawsuit by Florida International University professor Marvin Dunn. The lawsuit argued that the decision was made without adequate public input, stalling the project and prompting the college board to redo its vote—a move that could, according to Politico, “render the courtroom wrangling moot.” Nevertheless, a court hearing on the matter is scheduled for August 2026, leaving the project’s fate uncertain.
The outcome of the mayoral race could have significant implications for the future of the library and for Miami’s development more broadly. The city’s next leader will play a key role in navigating the legal and political hurdles that remain, as well as in shaping the broader conversation about Miami’s identity and trajectory. With Miami-Dade County also preparing to elect its own mayor, the region’s political future hangs in the balance, with decisions made in the coming months likely to reverberate across Florida and beyond.
For Democrats, a win in Miami would build on recent successes, including a strong showing in November’s elections and a surprisingly close race in Tennessee’s 7th District, where even a loss narrowed Trump’s 2024 lead. For Republicans, holding onto Miami is seen as essential for maintaining their grip on Florida and for advancing projects like the Trump library, which are viewed as both political and cultural touchstones.
As the dust settles from Tuesday’s runoff, the city’s residents and political observers alike are left to ponder what comes next. Will Miami’s next mayor be able to bridge the city’s deep divides over housing, immigration, and development? Or will the city’s future be shaped by continued legal battles and political gridlock? One thing is certain: the eyes of the nation—and perhaps the world—remain fixed on Miami, a city at the crossroads of change and tradition, ambition and controversy.
The coming months promise to be decisive ones for Miami, as the city’s leadership, its skyline, and its place in the national conversation are all up for grabs.