Democrat favoured to win Miami mayoral election against Trump-backed rival

"Democrat Eileen Higgins is favoured to win Miami's mayoral run-off, a closely watched test of voter sentiment in Trump's Florida stronghold. Democrats are favoured to win Miami's mayoral race for the first time in nearly 30 years, with the run-off closely watched as a test of voter sentiment in United States President Donald Trump's Florida stronghold. Although the election on Tuesday is technically nonpartisan by law, candidates' party affiliations do not appear on the ballot it has drawn national attention."

"Trump has endorsed former Miami City Manager Emilio Gonzalez, a Republican, while the Democratic National Committee is backing Eileen Higgins, 61, a former Miami-Dade County commissioner. Higgins led a crowded field in last month's first round, securing 36 percent of the vote, short of the majority needed to win outright, but well ahead of Gonzalez, a retired US Army colonel, who finished second with 20 percent. Another Democrat, former city commissioner Ken Russell, placed third with 18 percent."

"If elected, Higgins would become the first Democrat to lead the city of 487,000 in nearly three decades, as well as the first woman and the first non-Hispanic mayor of Hispanic-majority Miami. Former Miami-Dade County commissioner and the candidate for Miami mayor, Eileen Higgins, centre, walks with Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, left, and Claire VanSusteren, right, while canvassing in advance of a run-off election on Tuesday [Lynne Sladky/AP] The race has attracted heavyweight support from both parties."

Eileen Higgins is favoured to win the Miami mayoral run-off, positioned as a key indicator of voter sentiment in President Donald Trump's Florida stronghold. The election is officially nonpartisan, but party affiliations and national endorsements have drawn attention. Republican-backed Emilio Gonzalez received 20 percent in the first round while Higgins led with 36 percent; Democrat Ken Russell placed third with 18 percent. Higgins would become Miami's first Democratic, female, and non-Hispanic mayor in nearly three decades if elected. Prominent Republicans and Democrats have campaigned in the race, and a Democratic win would bolster party momentum ahead of upcoming midterms.

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