Two of Eileen Higgins’ peers on the Miami-Dade County Commission are getting behind her bid to become the city of Miami’s first woman Mayor.
Oliver Gilbert, a former Miami Gardens Mayor and the immediate past Chair of the County Commission, gave Higgins an effusive endorsement this week.
So did Danielle Cohen Higgins, who represents much of Miami-Dade’s southern area at County Hall.
Gilbert said in a statement that Higgins “has always put the people of Miami-Dade first,” and she’ll continue to do the same as Miami Mayor.
“Her leadership is smart, compassionate, and unafraid to tackle tough issues — whether it’s affordable housing, public transit, or protecting working families,” he said.
“I’ve seen firsthand how deeply she cares about every neighborhood and every resident. That’s the kind of Mayor Miami needs and why I’m proud to support her campaign.”
Cohen Higgins said in a statement that Higgins “has the vision and determination to make Miami a city that works for its people.”
“Serving alongside Eileen, I have seen firsthand her commitment to ensuring government works effectively and transparently for our residents,” she said. “Eileen brings the same passion and integrity to every issue, whether it’s housing, transit, or environmental stewardship. I’m proud to support her for Mayor.”
The endorsements Thursday from Gilbert and Cohen Higgins join others from Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava[1], Miami Gardens Sen. Shevrin Jones and Miami Rep. Ashley Gantt and South Miami Mayor Javier Fernández.
Advocacy and union groups backing her include UNITE HERE Local 355[2], SAVE Action PAC[3], LiUNA Local 1652[4], SEIU 32BJ[5], Equality Florida Action PAC[6], EMILY’s List[7] and Ruth’s List Florida[8].
Higgins is one of 13 candidates[9] running to succeed term-limited Mayor Francis Suarez.
Other Democrats in the race include former Miami Commissioner Ken Russell, Ellijah Bowdre and Michael Hepburn.
Republicans running for Mayor include Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo, former Miami Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla, former City Manager Emilio González, Christian Cevallos, Alyssa Crocker and June Savage.
Candidates Laura Anderson, Kenneth DeSantis and former Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez, who previously served as a Miami-Dade Commissioner and is the current Mayor’s father, have no party affiliation.
Miami’s elections are technically nonpartisan.
The General Election is Nov. 4.
If no candidate in a given race receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will compete in a runoff.
References
- ^ Daniella Levine Cava (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ UNITE HERE Local 355 (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ SAVE Action PAC (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ LiUNA Local 1652 (www.liunalocal1652.org)
- ^ SEIU 32BJ (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Equality Florida Action PAC (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ EMILY’s List (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Ruth’s List Florida (ruthslistfl.org)
- ^ 13 candidates (www.voterfocus.com)