Eileen Higgins Becomes Miami's First Female Mayor

The former Miami-Dade County commissioner now faces a daunting menu of issues that would test any seasoned politician: federal immigration enforcement threats, a housing crisis that’s pushed working families from Little Havana to Liberty City out of their neighborhoods, and infrastructure challenges that seem to multiply with each king tide.

“This city has always been about reinventing itself,” Higgins said during her inauguration ceremony at City Hall. “But we can’t reinvent our way out of problems that require real solutions and hard choices.”

Higgins brings a different flavor to the mayor’s office than her predecessors. Where previous administrations focused heavily on downtown development and attracting international investment, she’s pledged to prioritize neighborhood-level concerns that have simmered while gleaming towers rose in Brickell and the Design District.

Her first major test may come sooner than expected. Federal officials have signaled increased immigration enforcement in South Florida, putting Miami’s large immigrant population on edge. Higgins has indicated she’ll take a measured approach, balancing federal compliance with the city’s role as a welcoming destination for newcomers.

“Miami exists because people came here seeking something better,” she said. “That’s as true for the Cuban families who built Little Havana as it is for the Haitian entrepreneurs opening restaurants in Little Haiti today.”

The housing crisis presents another immediate challenge. Median rents have pushed beyond what teachers, firefighters, and restaurant workers can afford, forcing many to move far from the communities they serve. Higgins has promised to fast-track affordable housing projects and explore innovative zoning solutions.

Local restaurant owners, who’ve watched their workforce struggle with housing costs, are cautiously optimistic. “When your best line cook has to move to Homestead because they can’t afford Wynwood anymore, that’s a problem for everyone,” said Carlos Mendez, who runs three Cuban cafeterias in Little Havana.

Higgins will also inherit ongoing negotiations with developers, climate resilience projects, and the perpetual challenge of balancing Miami’s tourism economy with residents’ quality of life.

The new mayor’s approach reflects her background in county government, where she built a reputation for detailed policy work rather than flashy announcements. That style may serve her well as she tackles problems that have persisted through multiple administrations.

For a city that’s never had a female mayor, Higgins represents both change and continuity — a fresh perspective on familiar challenges that define life in the 305.