Eileen Higgins defeats Emilio González in Miami mayoral runoff election

Voters in Miami-Dade County headed back to the polls Tuesday for several key runoff races that decided leadership in Miami, Miami Beach and Hialeah. Leer en españolAfter crowded fields in November left multiple races without a clear majority winner, the top candidates faced off one-on-one.Miami MayorEileen Higgins defeats Emilio GonzálezIn the first round of voting, Eileen Higgins emerged as the top vote-getter with roughly 36 percent of ballots cast, but she fell short of the more than 50 percent threshold required to win outright. Following her was Emilio González, with approximately 19 percent of the vote.

Higgins received 59 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s runoff election. Miami Commissioner – District 3Rolando Escalona defeats Frank CarolloRolando Escalona, a political newcomer, defeated Frank Carollo in Tuesday’s runoff, receiving 53 percent of the ballots cast. Miami Beach Commissioner – Group 1Monica Matteo-Salinas defeats Monique Pardo PopeMiami Beach voters chose between two candidates hoping to address tourism impacts, public safety and storm-preparedness.They ultimately selected Monica Matteo-Salinas, who received 71 percent of the ballots cast in Tuesday’s runoff election.

Hialeah Councilmember – Group IIIGelien Perez defeats Jessica CastilloGalien Perez received 80 percent of the votes in Tuesday’s runoff election. Hialeah Councilmember – Group IVWilliam “Willy” Marrero defeats Javier MorejoWilly Marrero received 71 percent of the ballots cast in Tuesday’s runoff election. Voters in Miami returned to the polls Tuesday to choose their next mayor, after a crowded field of 13 candidates failed to produce a winner with majority support in the Nov.

4 election.Leer en españolAfter all ballots were cast, it was Eileen Higgins who came out on top, defeating Emilio Gonzalez after receiving approximately 59 percent of the votes. Higgins celebrated with family and friends at the Miami Women’s Club, which was appropriate as she made history on Tuesday. Higgins now becomes the first woman to serve as the city’s mayor.

“It’s very exciting to be the first woman to serve the city of Miami,” Higgins said. “It’s hard to think of it that way because we always know Miami was founded by a woman, but I hope this sends a message to any girls or teenagers out there that of course you can be a mayor, of course you can be an engineer. You can be anything you want.”For González, he accepted defeat with positivity.

He and his supporters were toasting to new beginnings and breaking plates, an old Greek custom, after news of the loss came in. “We’re celebrating democracy, we’re celebrating our city,” said González. “Every day for me was a different adventure.