A collective bargaining organization that supports workers at Miami-Dade’s biggest economic engine is getting behind Emilio González for Miami Mayor.
AFSCME Local 1542, a union representing county employees at Miami International Airport (MIA), wants the hub’s former CEO — González, in one of many governmental hats he’s worn over the years — to be Miami’s top official.
“Beyond his professional achievements, Emilio led with fairness and professionalism, setting an example as a dedicated leader who never lost sight of the people — union members — whose hard work powers MIA’s success,” AFSCME Local 1542 President Antonio Eiroa said in a statement.
“Emilio Gonzalez is a leader of honesty, accountability, vision, and character. We know he will bring those same values to City Hall as Miami’s next Mayor where the workers and public will prioritize the needs of workers and public.”
The union’s endorsement comes just days after construction-focused trade group Associated Builders and Contractors announced it was backing González, who also enjoys support from Miami Young Republicans, former Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina, former Miami Director of Human Services Milton Vickers, mixed martial arts star Jorge Masvidal and Emmy Award-winning reporter Michael Putney, among others.
González said he “proudly” accepts support from AFSCME Local 1542, which “represents many hard-working Miami residents who deserve to live in a city that is safe, affordable, and family friendly.”
“Treating workers with fairness and professionalism is the least we can offer on behalf of Miami residents who rely on good contracts and negotiations to deliver services fairly and effectively,” he said. “I will ensure that the permitting and bidding process is done legally, fairly, and open to public scrutiny because I believe in government accountability which has been lacking in our city for too long.”
Notably, MIA falls under the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County, not the city of Miami, which has a different, considerably less powerful Mayor.
González is a U.S. Army veteran who rose to the rank of colonel and a former Miami City Manager who served as Director of Citizenship and Immigration Services at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under President George W. Bush.
He currently holds several professional and appointed roles, as listed on his LinkedIn profile.
In July, González successfully sued Miami to stop officials, including Mayor Francis Suarez, from delaying the city’s election by a year, to November 2026. An appellate court then upheld the decision.
He’s one of 12 candidates running for Mayor. Other Republicans running include Christian Cevallos, Alyssa Crocker, June Savage and former Miami Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla.
Democrats running include Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins, former Miami Commissioner Ken Russell, Ijamyn Gray, Michael Hepburn and Max Martinez, who ran unsuccessfully for Mayor in 2021.
Laura Anderson and former Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez, who previously served as a Miami-Dade Commissioner and is the current Mayor’s father, have no party affiliation.
The Miami Mayor’s race is technically nonpartisan.
Miami’s General Election is Nov. 4. If no mayoral candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will compete in a runoff.
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