Miami’s Wild Mayoral Election: A Political Soap Opera
Miami’s 2025 mayoral election isn’t just another civic duty—it’s a high-stakes political drama packed with family feuds, corruption allegations, and legacy candidates. With 13 contenders vying for the city’s top seat, the race has become a spectacle that blurs the line between governance and reality TV.
Why This Miami Mayoral Race Is Unlike Any Other
In a city known for eccentric elections, this year’s contest stands out for its tangled web of personal histories. Three of the leading candidates hail from political dynasties:
- Joe Carollo, 70, a former mayor and current city commissioner, is running alongside his brother Frank for City Commission.
- Xavier Suarez, 76, another ex-mayor, is the father of current Mayor Francis X. Suarez.
- Alex Díaz de la Portilla, whose two brothers also held elected office, adds a third dynasty to the mix.
The Carollo-Suarez rivalry dates back to 1997, when a judge overturned Suarez’s mayoral win due to widespread voter fraud—though Suarez himself was never accused of wrongdoing—and handed the office to Carollo.
Controversy and Courtrooms
Joe Carollo’s campaign is shadowed by a $63.5 million judgment from a federal jury that found he weaponized city inspectors against business owners for political revenge. An appeals court upheld the ruling in summer 2025. Despite the verdict, Carollo claims he can’t pay—and legally, his home and wages are protected.
Meanwhile, the city has spent millions defending him and even settled a related lawsuit for $12.5 million. The insurer that once covered commissioners dropped Carollo over the liability risk.
The Front-Runners: Who’s Leading?
Most candidates see Eileen Higgins, a Miami-Dade County commissioner and Democrat, as the frontrunner. If elected, she’d be Miami’s first female mayor. Her campaign promises calm, consensus-driven leadership—“no yelling, no drama,” she declared in a recent debate.
Other key contenders include:
| Candidate | Party Affiliation | Key Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Emilio T. González | Republican | Endorsements from DeSantis, Cruz, Scott; “restore competence” |
| Ken Russell | Democrat | Break political dynasties; rebuild public trust |
| Alex Díaz de la Portilla | Republican | Cleared of charges after suspension by DeSantis in 2023 |
Why the Election Almost Didn’t Happen
Earlier this year, Mayor Francis Suarez and three commissioners tried to postpone the election to 2026, citing cost savings and better turnout. But mayoral hopeful Emilio González sued—and won. A state judge ruled that such a delay required voter approval. The election stayed on the calendar for November 1, 2025.
What’s at Stake for Miami?
Beyond personalities, real issues loom large:
- Soaring cost of living
- Corruption scandals at City Hall
- Leadership vacuum during Suarez’s brief 2023 presidential run
- Upcoming global spotlight: 2026 World Cup matches and Lionel Messi’s new Inter Miami stadium
“There is a reputational cost to the dysfunction that exists in the city of Miami today,” González said during a debate, “and it’s got to stop.”
Election Mechanics
The Miami mayor holds limited power—no commission vote, but can veto legislation and appoint the city manager. If no candidate secures over 50% of the vote, the top two will face off in a December 9 runoff.
Though officially nonpartisan, national politics loom large. With Trump planning a presidential library in Miami and the city narrowly favoring Kamala Harris (50%) over Trump (49%) in 2024, a Democratic win could slow the GOP’s momentum in once-blue Miami-Dade.
