Several labor organizations are adding their weight to Danielle Cohen Higgins’ bid for re-election to the Miami-Dade Commission, joining several public safety and public-sector employee unions backing her.
SEIU Florida, the South Florida AFL-CIO — including UNITE HERE Local 355 — and 32BJ SEIU announced their endorsements of Cohen Higgins, citing her record of pro-labor policymaking at County Hall.
“Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins has been a reliable partner for working people throughout Miami-Dade,” said Martha Baker, President of the SEIU Florida State Council and SEIU Local 1991, the exclusive bargaining representative for thousands of healthcare workers.
“She has championed policies that expand opportunity, strengthen healthcare and public services, and improve quality of life for families across our community.”
South Florida AFL-CIO President Jeffrey Mitchell said Cohen Higgins “understands that when workers succeed, our communities thrive.” Wendi Walsh, Secretary-Treasurer for UNITE HERE Local 355, which represents some 300,000 hospitality and gaming workers, credited Cohen Higgins for “ensuring workers have a seat at the table.”
Helen O’Brien, Vice President of 32BJ SEIU, which represents more than 185,000 service workers, said Cohen Higgins has “consistently demonstrated a willingness to listen to workers, advocate for their needs, and support policies that help families build a better future.”
“Our members are proud to support her continued service on the Miami-Dade Commission,” she added.
The new nods Thursday add to others Cohen Higgins has received from the AFSCME Florida and the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, Metro-Dade Firefighters and South Florida Council of Firefighters, which endorsed Cohen Higgins on Wednesday.
“I am honored to earn the endorsement of the members of SEIU Florida and the South Florida AFL-CIO, including UNITE HERE Local 355, and 32BJ SEIU,” Cohen Higgins said.
“Across Miami-Dade County, our workers make our community strong — and I am proud to stand alongside the men and women who keep Miami-Dade moving forward every day. As County Commissioner, I have worked to expand opportunity, strengthen our local economy, and support the families who call Miami-Dade home. I look forward to continuing that work and earning the trust of voters for another term.”
A Democrat and lawyer who succeeded Daniella Levine Cava on the Commission, Cohen Higgins first joined the 13-member panel by appointment in December 2020 and won a full term in 2022 with 57% of the vote.
She represents District 8, which covers much of Miami-Dade’s southern portion, including Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay, Homestead and the unincorporated neighborhoods of Redlands, Naranja and Leisure City.
This year, she faces former Palmetto Bay Vice Mayor John DuBois and National Community Services CEO Martha “Vega” Hero, both Republicans.
Because County Commission contests are technically nonpartisan, all candidates will appear on the Aug. 18 Primary ballot.
A candidate must receive more than 50% of the vote to win outright; otherwise, the top two vote-getters advance to a Nov. 3 runoff.
