The GOP is in trouble. They’re quickly losing the momentum they had after the 2024 elections.
And Republicans suffer a brutal defeat that could be a dark sign for things to come.
In a stunning blow to conservative strongholds, Miami has fallen into Democratic hands for the first time in almost three decades.
Eileen Higgins, a 61-year-old Democrat, snatched the mayoral seat by defeating Trump-endorsed Republican Emilio Gonzalez in Tuesday’s runoff election. This marks the city’s first Democratic mayor since 1998 and its inaugural female leader.
“Tonight, the people of Miami made history,” Higgins declared in a statement following the vote tally.
This defeat hits hard for Republicans nationwide, who had pinned high hopes on Gonzalez as a litmus test for public sentiment toward President Trump’s ongoing second term.
Even Trump himself jumped into the fray, endorsing Gonzalez alongside heavyweights like Sen. Ted Cruz from Texas, Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, and Gov. Ron DeSantis. Their combined star power wasn’t enough to turn the tide in this crucial contest.
Yet, the outcome wasn’t even close. Higgins dominated the initial November round with 36% to Gonzalez’s 19% in a packed field, positioning her as the clear frontrunner for the final showdown.
What stings most is Miami’s sizable Cuban population, a demographic that’s historically leaned Republican due to their firsthand experiences with socialist regimes. Higgins’ win here sends shockwaves, hinting at potential vulnerabilities for the GOP as the 2026 midterms loom.
Similar patterns emerged elsewhere, like the rise of far-left figure Zohran Mamdani to New York City’s mayor’s office, which many view as a direct rebuke to Trump’s policies.
A key factor? Hispanic voters shifting away from conservative candidates. This Miami upset is being eyed by politicians on both sides as a warning sign for upcoming races across the nation.
Higgins brings her experience as a former Miami-Dade County commissioner, where she represented the Hispanic-dominated Little Havana area.
Throughout her campaign, Higgins hammered on the need for affordable housing.
She didn’t hold back in slamming the opposition’s stance on immigration, a hot-button issue in a city brimming with Hispanic residents.
“I’ve never been prouder to be a Democrat,” Higgins said to the Associated Press.
“We’re living in the state of Florida, where we have people that are building cages for our residents rather than affordable housing for them.”
Anti-Trump rhetoric formed the backbone of her strategy. Higgins went so far as to circulate flyers depicting Gonzalez decked out in a MAGA hat.
On the flip side, Gonzalez, who once headed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under President George W. Bush, pushed bold ideas like scrapping property taxes to ease burdens on everyday folks.
He also stood firm in backing Trump’s tough measures against illegal immigration.
Overall, Miami’s choice raises alarms about whether conservative messages are resonating in diverse urban hubs.
