Eileen Higgins sworn in as Miami's first female mayor, ending 30 years of GOP control

MIAMI — Democrat Eileen Higgins was sworn in Thursday as the city's first female mayor, two weeks after defeating a Republican endorsed by President Donald Trump. Higgins also becomes the first Democrat in nearly 30 years to lead the city of about 487,000 people. She succeeds Francis Suarez, who has served as mayor since 2017. Higgins previously served as a Miami-Dade County commissioner, representing much of the city of Miami.

At a ceremony at Miami Dade College in downtown Miami, Higgins took the oath as family and supporters watched. She won the election by about 19 percentage points after Trump endorsed Emilio Gonzalez, highlighting his 2024 win in the county as evidence of his appeal among Hispanic voters. Higgins, 61, was introduced by her parents who joined her on stage to witness the ceremony. After taking the oath, she thanked her parents, saying they raised her with values. She also thanked Suarez for his service, noting that he elevated the city's profile worldwide. "Get up everyday, work hard and do what’s right," she said. Higgins also thanked Suarez for his service to the city, noting that he elevated the city’s profile worldwide. "That is why I am here. To serve. To show up every day and to make your lives better," she said. "While a government cannot love, it can act lovingly. And we will act lovingly by listening to what the people of this city ask for," she added.

Higgins outlined her priorities, starting with housing affordability. "My job now is to deliver on your choices," Higgins said, speaking in both English and Spanish. "A city defined not by what we say but by what we do." She noted her own career path — a mechanical engineer who joined the Peace Corps, served as a diplomat, and then returned to Miami to serve as a county commissioner — as evidence of her commitment to service and problem solving.

Census figures show that more than 55% of Miami's population is foreign born, with 45% coming from Cuba. That demographic context is central to conversations about housing, transportation, and economic development as the city navigates growth and changing needs. Higgins inherits a diverse metropolis that often draws national attention for its cultural vibrancy and as a hub for trade, tourism, and international diplomacy. The new administration faces immediate tasks related to housing affordability, city services, and sustaining momentum on projects that could influence the city’s trajectory for years to come.

The transition also marks a notable shift in local politics, as Higgins takes office two decades after Democrats last held the mayoralty for an extended period. Suarez, who had led the city since 2017, greeted Higgins' election as an opportunity for continued global visibility and collaboration with city leaders, while acknowledging that the city’s challenges require steady leadership and a focus on tangible results. Analysts and residents alike will be watching how Higgins translates campaign promises into policy, including housing, affordable living, and inclusive governance for Miami’s diverse population. The inauguration underscores Miami’s evolving political landscape and its ongoing role on the national stage as a city that blends local governance with global influence.