Disclaimer:

The Biscayne Neighborhoods Association (BNA) does not endorse or support any political candidate. The following is a neutral summary of the Miami Herald Editorial Board’s endorsement article, provided for informational purposes only. The Herald co-hosted our recent Miami Mayoral Debate at the Adrienne Arsht Center, and their editorial board has conducted extensive research, interviews, and polling in connection to this election.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON THE MIAMI HERALD WEBSITE: HERE

An Election That Will Shape Miami’s Future

With outgoing Mayor Francis Suarez reaching his term limit, the November 4th City of Miami Mayoral Election marks a turning point for the city. The Miami Herald describes this race as one that could “usher in a new era” following years of controversy and dysfunction at City Hall.

Thirteen candidates are on the ballot, representing a mix of long-serving public officials, community advocates, and political newcomers. The Herald predicts that, given the crowded field, the election may advance to a runoff on December 9th.

Why the Herald Endorsed Eileen Higgins

After extensive interviews and internal debate, the Miami Herald Editorial Board endorsed Eileen Higgins, Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 5.

The endorsement centers on her calm, pragmatic leadership style and a record of getting things done without political theatrics — something the Herald calls exactly what Miami needs right now. Higgins has been recognized for her ability to build consensus among the 13-member County Commission, which spans a wide range of political ideologies.

Her background as a mechanical engineer, former Peace Corps director in Belize, and U.S. Foreign Service officer in Mexico and South Africa demonstrates her technical expertise and global perspective. She was first elected to the County Commission in 2018 and re-elected unopposed in 2022, which the Herald points to as evidence of public trust in her leadership.

As chair of the County Commission’s Transportation Committee, Higgins championed the Northeast Corridor rail project from Downtown Miami to Aventura, securing $489 million in federal funding. She also authored legislation promoting composting and waste reduction in response to the region’s growing garbage crisis. Her efforts to streamline permitting have helped move forward affordable housing and flood-mitigation projects — issues of high importance to Miami residents.

The Herald notes that Higgins’ fluency in Spanish allows her to connect directly with a large portion of Miami’s population. She has pledged to apply her managerial experience to “look under the hood” of City Hall and address delays in permitting and development processes. Higgins has also called for moving Miami’s municipal elections to even-numbered years to increase voter turnout and proposed expanding the City Commission to seven or nine seats to reduce concentration of power.

Other Candidates and the Herald’s Assessment

The Herald also highlighted several strong contenders who bring experience and ideas to the race:

• Emilio González, a retired Army colonel and former Miami City Manager, is campaigning on government reform and anti-corruption. The Herald credited him for his integrity and courage in testifying against misuse of city power but expressed concern that his endorsements from state and national political figures, including Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Ted Cruz, might complicate the city’s independence on local issues such as immigration enforcement.
• Ken Russell, former City Commissioner, was praised for his communication skills and advocacy on environmental and ethics reform. The Herald called him an effective speaker with a strong grasp of policy but questioned whether his reform plans could overcome City Hall’s entrenched culture.
• Xavier Suárez, Miami’s first Cuban-born mayor and father of current Mayor Francis Suarez, offers deep institutional knowledge and longstanding community ties. The Herald found his experience valuable and his ideas sound, such as increasing the homestead exemption to reflect Miami’s housing realities.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Joe Carollo, a former mayor and the race’s top fundraiser, was described as a “disruptive force” and a central figure in ongoing controversies — including a $63.5 million federal judgment against him for retaliation while in office. The Herald noted that he declined to attend their interview and pointed to the city’s millions in legal expenses related to his actions as a major concern.

A Call for Steady, Focused Leadership

In endorsing Higgins, the Miami Herald concluded that she represents a “no-drama” alternative who could refocus City Hall on practical governance and community needs — restoring what the editorial board calls “normalcy to an embattled city.”

The paper recognized that voters have multiple qualified options but argued that Higgins’ track record of effective collaboration and her commitment to public service make her best positioned to deliver the steady leadership Miami needs.

🗳️ Stay Informed. Participate. Vote.

The Biscayne Neighborhoods Association encourages all residents to read the full Miami Herald article, learn about every candidate, and make their voices heard on November 4th.