A collective bargaining organization that represents construction and craft workers across South Florida is getting behind Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins for Mayor.
LiUNA Local 1652[1] — a local affiliate of the Florida AFL-CIO whose members come from Miami-Dade County, Broward County, West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie and Fort Myers — has endorsed Higgins to succeed Mayor Francis Suarez.
The group cited Higgins’ record of supporting labor interests, affordable housing construction and job-creating infrastructure investments as key to earning its support.
“Eileen Higgins has always understood that investing in infrastructure means investing in good jobs and strong communities,” LiUNA Local 1652 Business Manager Miguel Aragon said in a statement.
“She has stood with workers to expand fair wages, prioritize affordable housing, and deliver projects that create opportunity for our members and their families. We are proud to endorse her for Mayor of Miami because we know she will continue fighting for construction workers and working people across our city.”
As Miami-Dade’s longest serving current County Commissioner, Higgins has spearheaded efforts like the MetroCenter project[2] to expand affordable housing on underutilized county land while preserving historic buildings and workforce housing.
She has also worked to successfully secure hundreds of millions of dollars in state and federal funds for local transit and infrastructure improvements and backed legislation to expand Miami-Dade’s living wage requirements[3] and provide paid sick leave[4] to workers.
LiUNA Local 1652’s endorsement of Higgins joins others from SEIU 32BJ[5], Equality Florida Action PAC[6], EMILY’s List[7] and Ruth’s List Florida[8].
Higgins said in a statement that she is “deeply honored” to have the support of LiUNA Local 1652 “and the hardworking construction workers who are literally building the future of Miami.”
“From affordable housing to resilient infrastructure, our city’s progress depends on their skill, dedication, and hard work,” she said. “As Mayor, I’ll continue to stand with workers to ensure fair pay, safe job sites, and real investment in the projects that make our city more affordable, connected, and livable for everyone.”
Higgins, a Democrat, is one of 13 candidates[9] who qualified for the Mayor’s race.
Other Democrats in the contest include Miami Commissioner Ken Russell, Ellijah Bowdre and Michael Hepburn.
Republicans running 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.
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
- ^ LiUNA Local 1652 (www.liunalocal1652.org)
- ^ MetroCenter project (www.miamitodaynews.com)
- ^ living wage requirements (www.miamidade.gov)
- ^ paid sick leave (www.miamiherald.com)
- ^ 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)