Unions representing local police and firefighters are supporting Eileen Higgins for Mayor.
The Miami Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 20, which represents officers protecting Miami neighborhoods, and the Miami Association of Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 587, are each endorsing the former Miami-Dade Commissioner for Miami Mayor.
“Eileen has consistently demonstrated her commitment to public safety — not with slogans, but through real action. She listens to officers, invests in the tools and training we need, and understands the importance of ethical leadership at City Hall,” Miami Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 20 President Felix Del Rosario said on behalf of the union’s members.
”Miami deserves a mayor who will stand with the officers who stand on the front lines for our families and neighborhoods. Eileen Higgins has earned our trust, and our full support.”
Alex Cardenas of the Miami Association of Fire Fighters praised Higgins for understanding “the realities of our work and what it takes to keep our residents safe.”
“Eileen has consistently demonstrated her commitment to public safety — not with slogans, but through real action. She listens to officers, invests in the tools and training we need, and understands the importance of ethical leadership at City Hall. Miami deserves a mayor who will stand with the officers who stand on the front lines for our families and neighborhoods. Eileen Higgins has earned our trust, and our full support,” he said.
Higgins, in response to the endorsement, praised first responders, including firefighters, who she said “are the ones who run toward danger when everyone else is running away.”
“They protect our homes, our families, and our city with courage that deserves nothing less than full partnership from City Hall. As Mayor, I will work every day to make sure our firefighters have safe equipment, modern stations, and the respect and resources they need to keep Miami safe,” Higgins said.
Similarly, Higgins praised the city’s police officers for putting their lives on the line day in and day out to protect citizens.
“The safety of our residents is the foundation of a strong and thriving city — which is why, as County Commissioner, I was proud to deliver investments that have helped keep both officers and residents safe. That includes supporting ShotSpotter technology to improve emergency response, collaborating with police to strengthen safety on our transit system, and ensuring officers have up-to-date equipment, communications tools, and the staffing they need to respond to dangerous situations,” Higgins said.
She added that as Mayor, she will “continue to stand firmly with the men and women who protect our neighborhoods and our families.”
Higgins is competing in a Dec. 9 runoff against former City Manager Emilio González for the right to succeed outgoing Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. The pair topped 11 other candidates in Miami’s Nov. 4 General Election, with Higgins taking 36% and González capturing 19.5% of the vote.
Internal polling shows Higgins with a high likelihood of winning the runoff.
The latest endorsements come after a nod from two Service Employees International Union (SEIU) affiliates, including SEIU Local 1991, which represents nurses, physicians and other health care professionals, and the SEIU Florida State Council.
She also has support from 1199SEIU, SEIU 32BJ, AFSCME Local 1907, UNITE HERE Local 355, SAVE Action PAC and LiUNA Local 1652. LGBTQ advocacy groups Equality Florida Action PAC and EMILY’s List, and abortion rights organization Ruth’s List Florida are also supporting Higgins.
So are U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade Commissioners Oliver Gilbert and Danielle Cohen Higgins, Miami Gardens state Sen. Shevrin Jones, Miami state Rep. Ashley Gantt, South Miami Mayor Javier Fernández and former Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber.
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Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics contributed to this report.