Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins has stood by working families in South Florida, according to a union representing them that is continuing supporting her too.
SEIU 32BJ[1], which represents more than 195,000 airport employees, security officers, janitors and other essential property services workers, is again endorsing Higgins — this time for Miami Mayor.
The group’s Florida District Director, Helene O’Brien, said the group is “proudly” supporting Higgins’ bid to become the Magic City’s first woman Mayor in November.
“From expanding living wage protections to fighting for affordable housing and safer communities, to supporting commercial office janitors in their fight to raise standards, Eileen has proven herself as a true champion for working families,” O’Brien said in a statement.
“Miami needs a leader who puts residents first — and Eileen Higgins has the track record to deliver.”
Since her upset election[2] to the County Commission in June 2018, Higgins has built a reputation as a pro-labor policymaker. Among other things, she’s backed legislation to expand Miami-Dade’s living wage requirements[3], provide paid sick leave[4] to workers, and expand transit and workforce housing.
In 2020, she testified before Congress[5] about subpar working conditions at Miami International Airport. She also flew up to Tallahassee to oppose bills designed to preempt local governments from requiring a living wage.
Economic opportunities she created in the county include initiatives like the RISE Miami-Dade[6] business loan program and the Elevate District 5 program, which together have delivered millions to entrepreneurs across Miami-Dade.
“As Commissioner, I’ve been proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with SEIU members and working families across Miami-Dade,” Higgins said in a statement.
“Workers keep our city running — they deserve fair pay, safe workplaces, and a government that has their back. As Mayor, I’ll keep fighting to make Miami more affordable, opportunity-rich, and fair for everyone who calls this city home.”
SEIU 32BJ also endorsed Higgins last year[7], when she coasted to re-election unopposed. The organization joins Equality Florida Action PAC[8], EMILY’s List[9] and Ruth’s List Florida[10] in backing her for the Miami Mayor bid.
Higgins, a Democrat, is the Miami-Dade County Commission’s longest-serving current member, a former Director of the Peace Corps in Belize and an ex-foreign services officer for the U.S. Department of State.
She has represented District 5, which includes Miami, since June 2018[11].
She entered the Miami Mayor’s race in April, vowing to tackle vital issues like affordable housing, transportation, flood mitigation and public safety. As of this week, she is one of 12 active mayoral candidates[12].
Other Democrats running include former Miami Commissioner Ken Russell, Ijamyn Gray, Michael Hepburn and Max Martinez, who ran unsuccessfully for Mayor in 2021.
Republicans in the race include former Miami City Manager and Miami International Airport CEO Emilio González, Christian Cevallos, Alyssa Crocker, June Savage and former Miami Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla.
Laura Anderson 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.
The Miami Mayor’s race is technically nonpartisan.
Miami’s General Election is Nov. 4. If no mayoral candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will compete in a runoff.
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References
- ^ SEIU 32BJ (www.seiu32bj.org)
- ^ upset election (www.google.com)
- ^ living wage requirements (www.miamidade.gov)
- ^ paid sick leave (www.miamiherald.com)
- ^ testified before Congress (www.cbsnews.com)
- ^ RISE Miami-Dade (www.dcfcu.org)
- ^ endorsed Higgins last year (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Equality Florida Action PAC (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ EMILY’s List (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Ruth’s List Florida (ruthslistfl.org)
- ^ since June 2018 (www.wlrn.org)
- ^ 12 active mayoral candidates (www.voterfocus.com)