On Dec. 9, South Florida voters delivered a wave of political firsts and upsets: Miami elected its first female mayor, a 16-year Carollo dynasty came to an end, and Hialeah welcomed one of the youngest council members in its history.
Miami mayor
In the City of Miami, former Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins defeated former City Manager Emilio Gonzalez, with nearly 60% of the vote. It was a decisive finish to a race that began with 13 candidates. Higgins becomes the first woman mayor to serve in Miami and the city’s first Democrat to hold the top office in nearly 30 years.
The election drew national attention late in the campaign after President Donald Trump shared his endorsement for Gonzalez.
“GET OUT AND VOTE FOR EMILIO — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” he wrote on Truth Social.
In an unusual step, the Democratic National Committee responded by endorsing Higgins, a rare move. The party seldom gets involved in local elections — and the city commission is nonpartisan.
Many called this race a political “bellweather” for the 2026 midterm election, a look into whether Republicans’ can retain their grip on Congress.
Higgins celebrated her victory at the Miami Women’s Club, where dozens of supporters erupted into chants of “Madame Mayor!” as she made her first appearance of the night.
Miami commissioner – District 3
On Dinner Key, the Carollo dynasty in Miami came to an abrupt end. Political newcomer Rolando Escalona defeated Frank Carollo in the District 3 runoff with 53% of the vote, marking the first time in 16 years the seat will not be held by a Carollo after Frank’s brother Joe left the dais earlier year and was eliminated in the primary.
Frank Carollo previously held the District 3 seat in – which represents parts of Little Havana, East Shenandoah, West Brickell – 2009 to 2017. He was seeking a return to commission to succeed his brother, Joe Carollo, who has occupied the seat since 2017.
Escalona celebrated his win with supporters at the Tower Hotel – a deliberate and symbolic location choice. The venue is owned by William “Bill” Fuller, who sat at the center of the high profile lawsuit accusing Joe Carollo of using city resources to target Fuller and Martin Pinilla, owners of Ball & Chain nightclub. A jury ultimately awarded the pair a $63.5 million verdict in 2023.
“This feels like the ultimate chapter in redemption,” Escalona said at his watch party.
Miami Beach Commission – Group I
In a sweeping victory, Monica Matteo-Salinas defeated Monique Pardo Pope with an overwhelming 70% of the vote.
Matteo-Salinas, former aide to Commissioners Kristen Rosen Gonzalez and Alex Fernandez, will now secure a Democratic majority on the Miami Beach City Commission — though technically that bidy is nonpartisan.
While the race was officially non-partisan, candidates rely on public messaging. Matteo-Salinas was endorsed by three Miami Beach Democratic commissioners. Pardo Pope is receiving endorsements from the Republican Party state Rep. Alez Rizo (R-Hialeah).
“I am humbled and deeply grateful for the trust Miami Beach residents have placed in me,” Matteo-Salinas said in a statement following her win. “I ran for this seat because I love our city — because my children, and every child in our community, deserve to grow up in a Miami Beach we can be proud of, and because our residents deserve a city government that truly works for them.”
Hialeah Councilmember – Group III
Gelien Perez, a Hialeah human resources director who worked for former Mayor Carlos Hernandez, won in a landslide against social worker Jessica Castillo – earning almost 80% of the vote.
Mayor-elect Bryan Calvo endorsed Perez saying, “She brings the most experience and insight into how Hialeah functions.”
Perez led the fundraising field with $224,370 collected, a far difference from Castillo’s $1,176 funds.
While the race is technically non-partisan, candidates rely on party politics. When Castillo posted photos of her participating in October’s anti-Trump “No Kings” protest, Perez circulated mailers labeling her as a “liberal.”
Following her victory, Perez described her win as “a beautiful opportunity to better serve Hialeah’s residents.”
Hialeah Councilmember – Group IV
William “Willy” Marrero became one of the youngest elected council members in Hialeah, defeating Javier Morejon with an overwhelming 71% of the vote.
The former aide to Hialeah Councilman Luis Rodriguez began his political involvement at 15 when he worked alongside former state Sen. Rene Garcia.
When he applied in May for an interim seat on the council, several members argued he was too young. But his age wasn’t a point of contention for Mayor-elect Calvo, who endorsed Marrero, who also received criticism on his age after being the youngest person elected as mayor at 27-years-old.
Following his win, Marrero said he was “in shock, absorbing all of it, but happy” to see his work pay off.
Video was produced by Valeria De Souza and story was written by Sofia Baltodano
