2025 Miami mayoral election

2025 Miami mayoral election

←  2021 November 4, 2025 (first round) December 9, 2025 (runoff) 2030 →

Candidate Eileen Higgins Emilio T. Gonzalez Ken Russell First round 13,325 35.96% 7,214 19.47% 6,514 17.58% Runoff TBD TBD Eliminated   Candidate Joe Carollo Alex Díaz de la Portilla Xavier Suarez First round 4,253 11.48% 1,905 5.14% 1,830 4.94% Runoff Eliminated Eliminated Eliminated

Incumbent Mayor Francis Suarez Republican

The 2025 Miami mayoral election had its initial round held on November 4, 2025, with a runoff election to be held on December 9. Incumbent mayor Francis Suarez is term-limited and cannot run for a third term. Miami holds runoffs if no mayoral candidate receives a majority of the vote. ^[1] County Board member Eileen Higgins and former city manager Emilio T. Gonzalez are projected by media to advance to the runoff. ^[2]

Background

Incumbent mayor Francis Suarez, was re-elected in 2021 with 78.6% of the vote, defeating Democrat Max Martinez. He is term-limited.

Scheduling

The 2025 election cycle was marred by early controversy. In June 2025, Miami city commissioners passed an ordinance that would change the election dates from odd-numbered to even-numbered years, citing voter turnout and the financial cost of elections as key factors. This ordinance would suspend the November 2025 elections until November 2026, giving incumbents an extra year in office. One of the candidates, Emilio T. Gonzalez, filed a lawsuit challenging the Commission's ordinance. Both the 11th Judicial Circuit and Third District Court of Appeal ruled in Gonzalez's favor, finding that the ordinance violated the Florida Constitution, the Miami-Dade County Home Rule Charter, and the City of Miami Charter. ^{[3] [4] [5]} The City of Miami soon after filed a motion to obtain a rehearing en banc . ^[6] This means that the entire Third District Court would hear the case as opposed to the customary three-judge panel.

Candidates

Declared

Advanced to runoff

• Emilio T. Gonzalez, former city manager and former Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (Republican) ^{[7] [8] [9]}
• Eileen Higgins, Miami-Dade County commissioner and candidate for Florida's 27th congressional district in 2022 (Democratic) ^[10]

Eliminated in first round

• Laura Anderson (Socialist Workers Party) ^{[11] [9]}
• Elijah John Bowdre, Miami-Dade County Crypto Currency Chairman (Republican) ^{[11] [7]}
• Joe Carollo, city commissioner and former mayor (Republican) ^{[7] [12]}
• Christian Cevallos, former member of the Miami-Dade Community Council for the 11th district; former Miami "zoning czar"; entrepreneur (Republican) ^{[11] [9] [13] [14]}
• Alyssa Crocker, activist (Republican) ^{[11] [7] [15]}
• Kenneth James DeSantis, attorney (Independent) ^{[11] [7]}
• Alex Díaz de la Portilla, former city commissioner, former state representative, and former state senator (Republican) ^{[11] [7]}
• Michael Hepburn, community activist and perennial candidate (Democratic) ^{[11] [7] [13] [16]}
• Ken Russell, former city commissioner and candidate for Florida's 27th congressional district in 2022 (Democratic) ^[17]
• Xavier Suarez, former mayor, former county commissioner, and the father of incumbent mayor Francis Suarez ^[18] (Republican/Independent) ^{[11] [7] [19] [20]}
• June Savage, real estate agent and perennial candidate (Republican) ^{[7] [16] [21]}

Withdrew

• Ijamyn Gray ^[a] (Democrat) ^[11]
• Maxwell Martinez, ^[b] perennial candidate; ^[22] digital sports show and podcast producer ^[23]

Did not run

• Manolo Reyes ^[c] , city commissioner ^[24]
• Joe Sanchez, former city commissioner, ^[16] candidate for sheriff of Miami–Dade in 2024, mayoral candidate in 2009
• Fred Voccola, ^[d] vice chairman and former CEO of Kaseya ^[25]

Debates and forums

Debates and forums
No.	Date	Host	Moderator	Link	Participants
Key:  P Participant/Invited   A Absent   N Non-invitee   Out Out of race
					Anderson	Bowdre	Carollo	Cevallos	Crocker	Gonzalez	Gray	Díaz de la Portilla	Hepburn	Higgins	Russell	Savage	Suarez
1 [26]	September 20, 2025	Various local & statewide organizations		YouTube	P	N	N	P	P	A	P	N	P	P	P	A	P
2 [9] [27]	October 1, 2025	Downtown Neighbors Alliance, CBS Miami	Eliott Rodriguez	YouTube	N	N	P	N	N	P	O	P	N	P	P	N	P
3 [28]	October 5, 2025	Coconut Grove Democratic Club, Miami–Dade Democratic Party	Don Finefrock		N	P	N	N	N	N	O	N	P	P	P	N	N
4 [29]	October 16, 2025	Biscayne Neighborhoods Association, NBC Miami, Miami Herald , Griffin Catalyst	Jackie Nespral and David Smiley		N	N	A	N	N	P	O	N	N	P	P	N	P

Endorsements

Endorsements made before first round

Emilio Gonzalez (R)

Statewide officials

• Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida (2019–present) ^[30]

• Jay Collins, Lieutenant governor of Florida (2025–present) ^[31]

U.S. senators

• Ted Cruz, U.S. senator from Texas (2013–present) ^[32]
• Rick Scott, U.S. senator from Florida (2019–present) ^[33]

Local officials

• Jorge Colina, former Miami Police Department Chief (2018–2021) ^[34]
• Rodolfo Llanes, former Miami Police Department Chief (2014–2018) ^[35]
• David Magnusson, former El Portal Police Chief (2019–2021) and former Havelock Police Chief ^[e] (2014–2017) ^[35] (Democratic) ^[36]
• Manuel Orosa, former Miami Police Department Chief (2011–2014) ^[35]
• Juan Perez, former Miami-Dade Police Department Director ^[f] (2016–2020) ^[35]
• David Rivero, former University of Miami Police Chief (2006–2025) ^[35]
• Jeanette Said-Jinete, former Medley Police Chief (2011–2025) ^[38]
• Milton Vickers, former Miami Director of Human Services (2018–2021) ^[34]

Individuals

• Jorge Masvidal, UFC boxer ^[34]
• Michael Putney, reporter and columnist ^[34]

Labor unions

• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 154 ^[39]

Organizations

• Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter ^[34]
• Miami Young Republicans ^[40]
• Log Cabin Republicans of Miami ^[41]

Michael Hepburn (D)

Individuals

• Maxwell Martinez, entrepreneur and runner-up for mayor in 2021 ^[42]

Eileen Higgins (D)

State legislators

• Ashley Gantt, state representative from the 109th district (2022–present) ^[43]
• Dan Gelber, former state senator from the 35th district (2008–2010) and former mayor of Miami Beach (2017–2023) ^[44]
• Shevrin Jones, state senator from the 34th district (2020–present) ^[43]
• Joe Saunders, former state representative from the 49th district (2012–2014) ^[45]

Municipal officials

• Danielle Cohen Higgins, Miami-Dade County Commissioner from the 8th district (2022–present) ^[46]
• Javier Fernandez, mayor of South Miami (2022–present) and former state representative from the 114th district (2018–2020) ^[44]
• Oliver Gilbert, Miami-Dade County Commissioner from the 1st district (2020–present) ^[46]
• Daniella Levine Cava, mayor of Miami-Dade County (2020–present) ^[47]

Labor unions

• 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East ^[48] and SEIU 32BJ ^[49]
• Laborers' International Union of North America Local 1652 ^[50]
• UNITE HERE Local 355 ^[50]

Organizations

• EMILY's List ^[51]
• Equality Florida Action PAC ^[45]
• Ruth's List Florida ^[51]
• SAVE Dade Action PAC ^[52]

Newspapers and other media

• Miami Herald ^[53]

Ken Russell (D)

State legislators

• Cindy Lerner, former state representative from the 119th district (2000–2002) and former mayor of Pinecrest (2008–2016) ^[54]

Local officials

• Philip Stoddard, former mayor of South Miami (2010–2020) ^[54]
• Dean Trantalis, mayor of Fort Lauderdale (2018–present) ^[55]

Individuals

• Marvin Dunn, historian and filmmaker ^[55]
• Udonis Haslem, retired NBA player ^[55]

Organizations

• VoteWater ^[56]

Polling

First round polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [g]	Margin of error	Joe Carollo	Emilio Gonzalez	Eileen Higgins	Ken Russell	Xavier Suarez	Undecided
MDW Communications (D) [57] [A]	July 27 – August 1, 2025	511 (LV)	–	11%	15%	36%	12%	7%	19%

Runoff polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [g]	Margin of error	Emilio Gonzalez	Eileen Higgins	Undecided
MDW Communications (D) [58] [A]	October 14–18, 2025	307 (LV)	± 6.0%	24%	50%	26%

First round results

Turnout has been unofficially reported in excess of 21.6%, with more than 37,600 ballots being cast. ^[59]

2025 Miami mayoral election (first round) ^[60]

Candidate		Votes	%
Eileen Higgins		13,397	35.95
Emilio T. Gonzalez		7,256	19.47
Ken Russell		6,547	17.57
Joe Carollo		4,275	11.47
Alex Díaz de la Portilla		1,922	5.16
Xavier Suarez		1,839	4.94
Michael A. Hepburn		688	1.85
Laura Anderson		415	1.11
Christian E. Cevallos		287	0.77
Kenneth James DeSantis		224	0.60
Elijah John Bowdre		180	0.48
Alyssa Crocker		147	0.39
June E. Savage		84	0.23
Total votes		37,261	100

Notes

1. while Ijamyn Gray had launched a campaign, ^[11] they were not among those who filed petitions by the ballot deadline ^[7]
2. Maxwell Martinez withdrew prior to petition deadline ^[11]
3. Reyes had announced plans to run, but died prior to the filing period for the election ^[24]
4. Fred Voccola had expressed public interest in running, ^[25] but was not among the candidates who filed to run ^[7]
5. This police department is in the state of North Carolina.
6. This appointed position was replaced by the Miami-Dade Sheriff, an elected position, in January 2025. ^[37]
7. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear

Partisan clients

1. Poll sponsored by Ethical Leadership for Miami, which supports Higgins

References

1. "Election Calendar (2025)". Miami-Dade County . Retrieved November 16, 2024.
2. Multiple sources:
   • "Live updates: South Florida news and elections". NBC News Miami. November 5, 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
   • Leonard, Kimberly (November 4, 2025). "Miami mayor race heads to runoff featuring Dem against DeSantis-endorsed candidate". Politico. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
3. Costeines, Michael (July 1, 2025). "Attorneys File Lawsuit After Miami Cancels November's Mayoral Election". The Floridian. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
4. MacLauchlan, John (July 21, 2025). "Miami's decision to postpone 2025 election without voter approval unconstitutional, judge rules". CBS Miami. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
5. "City of Miami, Appellant, vs. Emilio Tomas Gonzalez, et al., Appellees" (PDF). Florida Third District Court of Appeals. July 31, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
6. Riski, Tess (August 7, 2025). "Miami wants another day in court: City asks for rehearing in election case". The Miami Herald. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
7. Riski, Tess (September 20, 2025). "Thirteen Candidates Are Vying For Miami Mayor. See The Full List". The Miami Herald. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
8. Riski, Tess (April 9, 2025). "Ex-city manager files to run for Miami mayor: 'Stop voting for the clowns'". Miami Herald . Retrieved April 11, 2025.
9. "Miami Mayoral Hopefuls Face Off – But Only The "Top Six" Make Debate Cut". Political Cortadito. September 29, 2025. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
10. Scheckner, Jesse (April 2, 2025). "Eileen Higgins enters Miami Mayor's race, vows to ensure city 'works for everyone'". Florida Politics . Retrieved April 2, 2025.
11. Scheckner, Jesse (September 18, 2025). "Days From Deadline, Just 5 of 13 Active Candidates Have Qualified For Miami Mayor's Race". The Miami Times. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
12. Riski, Tess (September 20, 2025). "After months of speculation, Joe Carollo formally enters Miami mayor's race". The Miami Herald. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
13. Martinez, Cassie; Baltodano, Sofia (June 23, 2025). "Meet the 2025 City of Miami mayoral candidates". Caplin News (FIU). Retrieved October 2, 2025.
14. Perez, Nicole; Hughes, Calvin; Torres, Andrea (October 8, 2025). "Vote 2025: Miami mayoral candidate Christian E. Cevallos says city neglects neighborhoods like Little Haiti". WPLG (Local 10). Retrieved October 31, 2025.
15. "Alyssa Crocker". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
16. "Long list of potential 2025 Miami mayoral candidates starts to take form". Political Cortadito. December 17, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
17. Ceballos, Joshua (March 10, 2025). "Former Miami commissioner announces bid for mayoral race". WLRN-TV . Retrieved March 19, 2025.
18. Riski, Tess (July 22, 2025). "Xavier Suarez, Miami's First Cuban-Born Mayor, Plans To Run For Mayor Again". Miami Herald . Retrieved July 22, 2025.
19. "Eleven Candidates Are Running For Mayor Of The City of Miami, Florida, On November 4, 2025". Ballotpedia News. August 25, 2025. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
20. "Women's Republican club snubs female Republican Miami mayoral candidates". Politico Cortadito. October 13, 2025. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
21. Scheckner, Jesse (July 10, 2025). "'Energized': Eileen Higgins camp reports raising nearly $350K in first 3 months of Miami Mayor bid". Florida Politics . Retrieved August 6, 2025.
22. Riski, Tess (December 23, 2024). "What to expect in Miami 2025 politics: Carollo bros, ex-city manager could run for office". Miami Herald . Retrieved February 3, 2025.
23. Scheckner, Jesse (November 2, 2021). "Miami Mayor Francis Suarez 'Runs Away From His Problems,' Opponent Max Martinez Says". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
24. "Manolo Reyes, Miami City Commissioner, Dies At Age 80 After Years Of Public Service". CBS News Miami. April 11, 2025. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
25. Vazquez, Christina (September 10, 2025). "Tech titan toys run for Miami mayor: 'Put me on stage,' he says, 'and it will be game over'". WPLG . Retrieved September 13, 2025.
26. "Eight candidates, maybe 9, will attend progressive Miami mayoral forum". Political Cortadito. September 19, 2025. Retrieved November 1, 2025.
27. "Miami mayoral candidates clash over corruption, housing and leadership in heated debate". CBS Miami. October 1, 2025. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
28. "Another Miami mayoral gathering — but this one's for Democrats only". Political Cortadito. October 4, 2025. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
29. Multiple sources
    • Riski, Tess (October 15, 2025). "Miami mayoral debate coming to the Arsht". Miami Herald. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
    • Riski, Tess (October 16, 2025). "Watch: Leading candidates for Miami mayor debate Thursday night". The Miami Herald. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
30. Riski, Tess (September 23, 2025). "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis endorses Emilio González for Miami mayor". Miami Herald . Retrieved September 23, 2025.
31. "Speaking of communism, we have a race in Miami..." Retrieved November 7, 2025.
32. "Senator Ted Cruz Endorses Emilio Gonzalez for Mayor". October 14, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
33. Riski, Tess (October 9, 2025). "Florida Sen. Rick Scott endorses Emilio González for Miami mayor". Miami Herald . Retrieved October 10, 2025.
34. Scheckner, Jesse (September 8, 2025). "Emilio González lands Associated Builders and Contractors endorsement for Miami Mayor bid". Florida Politics . Retrieved September 10, 2025.
35. Costeines, Michael (September 15, 2025). "Six Former South Police Chiefs Endorse Emilio Gonzalez for Miami Mayor". The Floridian Press. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
36. Magnusson, David (December 12, 2024). "Florida democrats need new fight tactics. Here are some suggestions". Miami Herald . Retrieved September 15, 2025. I am a proud moderate Democrat [. . .]
37. Hornstein, Teri; Maldonado, Mauricio (January 7, 2025). "Rosie Cordero-Stutz sworn in as new Miami-Dade sheriff". CBS News . Retrieved September 16, 2025.
38. Scheckner, Jesse (September 22, 2025). "'Exactly what Miami needs': another 5 former police officials back Emilio González for Mayor". Florida Politics . Retrieved September 22, 2025.
39. Scheckner, Jesse (September 12, 2025). "'Fairness and professionalism': Airport workers union backs Emilio González for Miami Mayor". Florida Politics . Retrieved September 15, 2025.
40. Scheckner, Jesse (September 3, 2025). "Emilio González, Eileen Higgins win partisan endorsements in Miami Mayor's race". The South FL 100. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
41. Scheckner, Jesse (October 6, 2025). "Log Cabin Republicans of Miami back 'residents-first' candidate Emilio González for Mayor". Florida Politics . Retrieved October 8, 2025.
42. Scheckner, Jesse (September 23, 2025). "Miami's 2021 runner-up for Mayor is now backing Michael Hepburn for the job". Florida Politics . Retrieved October 2, 2025.
43. Scheckner, Jesse (September 29, 2025). "'Honest, ethical and effective': Shevrin Jones, Ashley Gantt back Eileen Higgins for Miami Mayor". The Miami Times . Retrieved October 2, 2025.
44. Scheckner, Jesse (October 14, 2025). "'The kind of leader Miami needs': Javier Fernández, Dan Gelber back Eileen Higgins for Mayor". Florida Politics . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
45. Scheckner, Jesse (September 10, 2025). "'An exemplary record': LGBTQ rights PAC endorses Eileen Higgins for Miami Mayor". Florida Politics . Retrieved September 11, 2025.
46. Scheckner, Jesse (October 23, 2025). "Oliver Gilbert, Danielle Cohen Higgins back 'smart, compassionate' Eileen Higgins for Miami Mayor". Florida Politics . Retrieved October 28, 2025.
47. Scheckner, Jesse (October 1, 2025). "Daniella Levine Cava backs Eileen Higgins for Miami Mayor, says she 'delivers for people'". The Miami Times . Retrieved October 3, 2025.
48. Scheckner, Jesse (October 30, 2025). "'She has a proven record': Health care workers back Eileen Higgins for Miami Mayor". Florida Politics . Retrieved November 1, 2025.
49. Scheckner, Jesse (September 15, 2025). "'A true champion for working families': Property workers union builds up support for Eileen Higgins". Florida Politics . Retrieved September 15, 2025.
50. Scheckner, Jesse (October 2, 2025). "'Shoulder to shoulder': Hospitality workers endorse Eileen Higgins for Miami Mayor". Florida Politics . Retrieved October 3, 2025.
51. Scheckner, Jesse (August 27, 2025). "EMILY's List backs 'results-driven leader' Eileen Higgins for Miami Mayor". Florida Politics . Retrieved August 28, 2025.
52. Scheckner, Jesse (October 1, 2025). "SAVE Action PAC backs Eileen Higgins for Mayor, Rob Piper for Commission in Miami races". Florida Politics . Retrieved October 4, 2025.
53. "Herald endorsement: City of Miami mayor". Miami Herald . October 24, 2025. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
54. de Valle, Elaine [Ladra] (October 20, 2025). "Ken Russell wants another shot at Miami City Hall — as mayor this time". Political Cortadito. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
55. Scheckner, Jesse (November 4, 2025). "The race for Miami Mayor is crowded. Here's a look at the top 6 candidates". Florida Politics . Retrieved November 6, 2025.
56. Scheckner, Jesse (November 5, 2025). "It's Not Over: Eileen Higgins, Emilio González To Compete In Runoff For Miami Mayor". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
57. Scheckner, Jesse (August 7, 2025). "Poll: Eileen Higgins leads race for Miami Mayor, but not enough to avoid a runoff". Florida Politics . Retrieved August 12, 2025.
58. Scheckner, Jesse (November 5, 2025). "Poll: Eileen Higgins enters Miami Mayor runoff doubling support of Emilio González". Florida Politics . Retrieved November 7, 2025.
59. "Miami General Municipal and Special Elections November 4, 2025". tqv.vrswebapps.com. Florida Elections. November 4, 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
60. "Summary Results - Election Night Reporting". enr.electionsfl.org. Florida Elections. November 5, 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Chairman Bowdre for Mayor of Miami
• Emilio T. Gonzalez for Mayor
• Michael Hepburn for Mayor
• Eileen Higgins for Mayor
• Max Martinez for Mayor
• Ken Russell for Mayor
• June Savage for Mayor
• Francis Suarez for Mayor