Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Emilio Gonzalez, a Republican aligned with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, in the upcoming Miami mayoral runoff election. The endorsement was announced over the weekend on Truth Social, where Trump praised Gonzalez’s record as former Miami city manager and outlined his priorities if elected.
“As Miami’s next mayor, he will fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Advance MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our now very secure border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump wrote.
Gonzalez is facing Eileen Higgins, a former Miami-Dade County commissioner who led in the initial round of voting on November 4. With no candidate securing more than 50 percent of votes among 13 contenders, a runoff is scheduled for December 9. Higgins received 36 percent of the vote; Gonzalez finished second with 19.5 percent.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Congressman Byron Donalds have also endorsed Gonzalez. It remains unclear whether these endorsements will translate into increased financial support from South Florida’s real estate sector.
Higgins’ campaign responded to Trump’s endorsement by emphasizing her cross-party appeal: “Eileen has been elected three times by Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike because she shows up, solves problems and delivers for everyone,” according to a statement from her campaign. The campaign further stated: “The only person trying to inject partisan politics into this race is her opponent, who continues to chase out-of-town endorsements instead of focusing on the issues Miami residents face every day. Eileen’s campaign is powered by the people who know this city best — Miamians who want affordability, safer neighborhoods and a City Hall they can trust.”
Gonzalez did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Trump’s endorsement or his plans moving forward in the race.
Campaign finance records show that Gonzalez’s Mission Miami political action committee raised $651,215 ahead of the November election. Most major real estate donors have so far stayed away from supporting him directly; however, six entities connected to developers Bill Fuller and Martin Pinilla contributed $20,000 combined. Fuller and Pinilla previously won a $63 million verdict against former city commissioner Joe Carollo in 2023 after alleging targeted code enforcement actions—claims supported by testimony from Gonzalez.
Carollo ran for mayor as well but finished fourth despite raising nearly $1 million through his PAC. Both Carollo and Higgins have attracted significant donations from real estate interests; some donors contributed to both campaigns. For example, law firm Bercow Radell Fernandez Larkin & Tapanes gave $10,000 each to Carollo’s PAC and Higgins’ committee. On Monday before the runoff fundraiser at Brightline Station in downtown Miami—co-hosted by prominent industry figures including Jose Gonzalez of Florida East Coast Industries—donors were encouraged to contribute up to $1,000 individually or unlimited amounts via PACs due to state regulations allowing unrestricted donations to such committees.
The Florida Democratic Party is backing Higgins with mailers criticizing Gonzalez’s tenure as city manager between 2017 and 2020; however, her campaign maintains that their focus remains local rather than partisan issues.
The outcome of this closely watched race may depend on whether national endorsements or local coalitions prove more influential with voters as they head back to the polls in December.
