Well, folks, history just took a sharp left turn in Miami, Florida, as a Democrat clinched the mayor’s office for the first time in nearly three decades.

In a stunning upset, Eileen Higgins defeated Republican Emilio Gonzalez in Tuesday’s runoff election, marking a rare win for Democrats in a state that’s been trending crimson for years, Fox News reported. 

This race wasn’t just a local squabble; it was a national showdown, with both parties pouring resources into a supposedly nonpartisan contest.

Historic Win for Miami Democrats

Higgins, a mechanical engineer and former Peace Corps director in Belize, campaigned on affordability and streamlined government, striking a chord with voters tired of skyrocketing costs.

Her opponent, Gonzalez, a veteran and asset management advisor, pushed against overdevelopment and pitched a bold plan to scrap property taxes for primary homes.

But despite his practical ideas, Gonzalez couldn’t overcome the blue wave that swept Higgins to victory, making her the first woman to hold Miami’s top job.

Heavy Hitters Back Both Candidates

The Republican Party of Florida threw serious weight behind Gonzalez, and none other than President Donald Trump gave him a shout-out, calling the race “a big and important race!!!” as reported by the Associated Press.

That endorsement might’ve fired up the base, but let’s be honest—Trump’s magic touch didn’t quite work here, even in a city where he’s made gains with Hispanic and Latino voters in recent years.

On the flip side, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and allied groups funneled resources into Higgins’ campaign, riding high on recent wins elsewhere.

Democratic Momentum Fuels Upset Victory

DNC Chair Ken Martin didn’t mince words, stating, “Tonight’s result is yet another warning sign to Republicans that voters are fed up with their out-of-touch agenda that is raising costs for working families across the country.”

That’s a bold claim, but with Florida’s GOP dominance—think Gov. Ron DeSantis’ landslide re-election by nearly 20 points in 2022—it’s hard to see this as anything but a wake-up call for conservatives.

Miami remains a rare Democratic bastion in a Republican-leaning state, though Trump narrowly lost the city last year while winning Miami-Dade County by a solid 11 points.

A Shift in Voter Dynamics?

Back on November 4, the initial multi-candidate election saw Higgins grab 36% of the vote to Gonzalez’s 19%, forcing the tight runoff that culminated in Tuesday’s surprise outcome.

With outgoing Republican Mayor Francis Suarez term-limited after an unsuccessful bid for the GOP presidential nomination two years ago, the stage was set for a fierce battle—and Higgins seized the moment.

While conservatives lick their wounds, this win signals potential cracks in the GOP’s Florida fortress, especially if Higgins’ success hints at shifting loyalties among key demographics. Her victory, viewed as a national boost for Democrats, comes on the heels of other party overperformances, like a recent special election in a Republican-leaning Tennessee district. It’s not time to panic, but Republicans should be asking hard questions about why their message didn’t stick in a city they’ve long courted.