Six Republicans are running for Miami Mayor, but just one has the support of Florida’s top executive.
Former City Manager Emilio González’s campaign just announced that Gov. Ron DeSantis is backing his campaign.
In a statement, the Governor cited González’s record of service, platform and successful fight to stop city officials from delaying the election to next year as key to securing his endorsement.
“With 26 years of military service and experience at both federal and local levels, Emilio has shown his commitment to our nation and Miami. When local officials tried to cancel the election and extend their own terms, a clear violation of term limits, Emilio stepped up and stopped them in court five times. Emilio is committed to providing property tax relief, strengthening public safety, and reducing government red tape,” DeSantis said.
“I am pleased to endorse Col. Emilio González for Mayor of Miami.”
The nod from DeSantis joins others from 11 former[1] police officials[2], Miami International Airport (MIA[3]) workers union AFSCME Local 1542[4], construction trade group Associated Builders and Contractors[5], Miami Young Republicans[6], former Miami Director of Human Services Milton Vickers[7], mixed martial arts star Jorge Masvidal[8] and Emmy Award-winning reporter Michael Putney[9], among others.
González said in a statement that DeSantis’ endorsement “is both an honor and a responsibility.”
“When the political class tried to cancel this year’s election, we went to court and won so Miami residents could vote,” he said. “As Mayor, I will bring that same resolve to end corruption at City Hall, restore accountability, and put Miami’s residents — not insiders — first.”
González is a U.S. Army veteran who rose to the rank of colonel and served as Director of Citizenship and Immigration Services at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under President George W. Bush.
He also worked as CEO of MIA.
He currently holds several professional and appointed roles, as listed on his LinkedIn profile[10].
González successfully sued[11] Miami in July to stop officials, including Mayor Francis Suarez, from delaying the city’s election by a year, to November 2026. An appellate court then upheld the decision[12].
He is one of 13 candidates[13] who qualified for the Mayor’s race.
Other Republicans running include Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo, former Miami Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla, Christian Cevallos, Alyssa Crocker and June Savage.
Democrats running include Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins, former Miami Commissioner Ken Russell, Ellijah Bowdre and Michael Hepburn.
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.
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
- ^ 11 former (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ police officials (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ MIA (www.miami-airport.com)
- ^ AFSCME Local 1542 (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Associated Builders and Contractors (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Miami Young Republicans (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Milton Vickers (www.facebook.com)
- ^ Jorge Masvidal (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Michael Putney (www.facebook.com)
- ^ LinkedIn profile (www.linkedin.com)
- ^ successfully sued (www.miamiherald.com)
- ^ upheld the decision (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ 13 candidates (www.voterfocus.com)