Democrat Eileen Higgins was sworn in on Thursday as Miami’s first female mayor, marking a historic moment for the city and a political shift nearly three decades in the making.
Higgins also becomes the first Democrat to lead Miami in almost 30 years. She replaces Republican Francis Suarez, who has served as mayor since 2017. Higgins previously represented much of the city as a Miami-Dade County commissioner.
She defeated Republican candidate Emilio González in the mayoral race, winning by approximately 19 percentage points. Higgins, 61, now takes the helm of a city of about 487,000 residents.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at Miami Dade College’s downtown campus, where Higgins’ parents joined her on stage as she took the oath of office. She thanked them during her remarks, crediting them with instilling core values.
“Get up every day, work hard and do what’s right,” she said.
Higgins also expressed appreciation for her predecessor, praising Suarez for his leadership and for elevating Miami’s global profile during his tenure.
She reflected on her unconventional career path, noting that she made a major professional shift in her 40s after working as a mechanical engineer. Higgins later joined the Peace Corps, became a diplomat, and eventually returned to Miami to serve in local government.
“That is why I am here. To serve. To show up every day and to make your lives better,” she said. “While a government cannot love, it can act lovingly. And we will act lovingly by listening to what the people of this city ask for.”
Among her priorities, Higgins highlighted the need to address housing affordability, calling it a central concern for residents.
“My job now is to deliver on your choices,” she said, addressing the audience in both English and Spanish. “A city defined not by what we say but by what we do.”
According to U.S. Census figures, more than 55 per cent of Miami’s population is foreign-born, with about 45 per cent of residents originating from Cuba.
