DeSantis-backed Gonzalez, Democrat county commissioner Higgins head to runoff in Miami mayor race

By Fox News · Fox News

Democratic County Commissioner Eileen Higgins and Republican candidate Emilio González, backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis , will advance to a Dec. 9 runoff to determine Miami’s next mayor after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote. The top two candidates emerged from a crowded field of 13 and will face off to succeed term-limited Republican Mayor Francis Suarez. If no candidate receives 50% or more of the votes, the top two candidates must compete in a runoff in the race for mayor. Higgins, the Miami-Dade County commissioner elected in 2018, represents parts of Miami Beach, Downtown, Brickell, Coral Way, Little Havana and West Flagler, according to the county’s website. DESANTIS PREDICTS NYC 'TURMOIL' UNDER MAMDANI, SAYS MAYORAL CANDIDATE SYMPATHETIC TO 'COMMUNISM, ISLAMISM' Miami Democrat Higgins is a former engineer, marketing executive and Peace Corps Belize country director, a position she accepted in 2006. She later worked as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. State Department. "There’s going to be no drama," Higgins said during her closing statement at a mayoral debate Oct. 16. "There’s going to be no corruption. There’s going to be no yelling. It’s just me, every day, going to work on your behalf to get things done — the things you’ve told me you want to see happen in this city. The city that you love. The city that I love. The city that should be the best place on earth." She campaigned on affordability, restoring trust in Miami City Hall "by cutting red tape that stops homeowners and small businesses from moving forward," funding police and first responders, improving transportation, and protecting the environment, according to her campaign's website. LIZ PEEK: CURTIS AND THE COMRADE — WHY SLIWA MUST STEP ASIDE TO SAVE NEW YORK President Donald Trump , who also is a Florida resident, did not endorse a candidate. Although the mayoral race didn’t draw the same national attention as New York or gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, it was…