Polls open in Miami for mayoral runoff; race between Eileen Higgins and Emilio Gonzalez draws national attention

It s decision day in Miami as former County Commissioner Eileen Higgins squares off against former City Manager Emilio Gonzalez in a runoff race for mayor Polls opened at a m on Tuesday giving Miami residents a chance to voice their choice for the city s next leader Polling analysts predict this referendum could be historic Even though the Miami mayor race is technically nonpartisan it has increasingly become partisan and gained national attention Higgins a Democrat won of the vote in the Nov balloting and was the top contender in all of the city s districts However she did not secure enough votes to win outright in the crowded race Based on the vote-by-mail ballots for the runoff Higgins does have an edge but what happens Tuesday will be the deciding factor The city hasn t had a Democratic mayor in over years so if she wins that could change Gonzalez a Republican backed by President Donald Trump and Florida Gov Ron DeSantis noted he wants to come back to City Hall to make even more changes Now both parties are focusing on this race as a feasible indicator for what could happen in Miami in next year s midterms Miami Beach and Hialeah are are having their runoff elections but these cities races are just for Commissioner and City Council seats Polls are scheduled to remain open until p m