Alumni MBA Alum Wins Runoff Election to Become Mayor of Miami Stories You May Like Once Upon a Time, Canines Cavorted on the Hill—Even in Class Why Experimental Art Is More Important Than Ever Cornellian Crossword: ‘Back Home on the Hill’ The first woman in the post, Eileen Higgins, MBA ’89, is also the first Democrat to lead the city in nearly three decades By Joe Wilensky In a closely watched runoff on December 9, Eileen Higgins, MBA ’89, was elected the next mayor of Miami. The former county commissioner will be the Florida city’s first female mayor, the first Democrat elected to the post in 28 years, and the first non-Hispanic mayor since the 1990s. Higgins defeated former city manager Emilio González, a Republican, with approximately 60% of the vote. providedSpeaking with a resident at a transit station during the mayoral race. “Miami chose a new direction,” Higgins said in her victory speech. “You chose competence over chaos, results over excuses, and a city government that finally works for you.” Although the position of Miami mayor is technically nonpartisan, the race became a bellwether for party politics this fall—and a potential preview for the 2026 midterms, as Republican leaders nationwide voiced support for González. Miami chose a new direction. You chose competence over chaos, results over excuses, and a city government that finally works for you. Higgins, 61, had won 36% of the vote among a dozen other candidates in the November election. Stories You May Like Once Upon a Time, Canines Cavorted on the Hill—Even in Class Why Experimental Art Is More Important Than Ever (The outgoing mayor, having served two four-year terms, was not eligible to run again.) Tony Chen ’12Chatting with supporters at her campaign kickoff in May. Higgins's campaign focused on alleviating affordability issues through more efficient government, cutting the red tape hindering small businesses and homeowners, promoting climate resilience, and fostering safe neighborhoods. “We are facing rhetoric from elected officials that is so dehumanizing and cruel, especially against immigrant populations,” Higgins told the Associated Press following her victory speech. “The residents of Miami were ready to be done with that.” A New Mexico native, Higgins earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico before obtaining her MBA on the Hill. After working in international development and consulting, she became a Peace Corps director in Belize. She later served as a foreign service officer for the U.S. State Department, then worked in private-sector marketing for several companies. We are facing rhetoric from elected officials that is so dehumanizing and cruel, especially against immigrant populations. The residents of Miami were ready to be done with that. Higgins represented the Fifth District on the Miami-Dade County Commission from 2018–25. In that post, she focused on creating thousands of new affordable housing units, expanding transit, and strengthening small businesses by investing nearly $3 million in grants; she also funded a reforesting plan called Million Trees Miami-Dade. (Top: Higgins portrait courtesy of Miami–Dade County.) Published December 10, 2025 Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ Other stories You may like Campus & Beyond Flower Power: In Olin Library, a Study Space with Botanical Flair Students TikTok-ing Chimesmaster Brings Cornell Music to the World Cornelliana Boo! Celebrating a Spooktacular Time of Year on the Hill