Health Workers Endorse Eileen Higgins for Miami Mayor

Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins has received a significant endorsement from Florida’s largest labor organization representing health care professionals, 1199SEIU. This backing comes as she campaigns for the role of Miami Mayor, following the term-limited Mayor Francis Suarez.

Health Workers Endorse Eileen Higgins for Miami Mayor

1199SEIU praised Higgins, highlighting the need for leaders who prioritize health care workers and advocate for people-first policies. Margarette Nerette, Vice President of Long Term Care, South Division at 1199SEIU, emphasized Higgins’ commitment to the community’s working people.

Support for Eileen Higgins

Nerette stated, “Eileen Higgins fought to ensure health care workers are now covered by Miami-Dade County’s Living Wage Ordinance.” The endorsement highlights Higgins’ record of promoting affordable housing and enhancing public transit options.

• 1199SEIU’s endorsement adds to support from various collective bargaining and advocacy groups.
• Endorsing organizations include:
  • UNITE HERE Local 355
  • SAVE Action PAC
  • LiUNA Local 1652
  • SEIU 32BJ
  • Equality Florida Action PAC
  • EMILY’s List
  • Ruth’s List Florida

Several public figures are also backing Higgins, including Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Senator Shevrin Jones, Representative Ashley Gantt, and South Miami Mayor Javier Fernández. Higgins expressed her gratitude, stating, “I am deeply honored to earn the endorsement of the hardworking men and women of 1199SEIU.”

Other Candidates in the Race

The mayoral race includes diverse candidates such as:

• Joe Carollo (Miami Commissioner)
• Xavier Suarez (former Miami Mayor and Commissioner)
• Alex Díaz de la Portilla (former Miami Commissioner)
• Ken Russell (former Miami Commissioner)
• Emilio González (former City Manager)
• Laura Anderson
• Ellijah Bowdre
• Christian Cevallos
• Alyssa Crocker
• Kenneth DeSantis
• Michael Hepburn
• June Savage

Among the candidates, Higgins, Russell, Bowdre, and Hepburn identify as Democrats, while Carollo, Díaz de la Portilla, González, Cevallos, Crocker, and Savage are Republicans. Anderson, DeSantis, and Xavier Suarez, the current Mayor’s father, do not have party affiliations. Though the elections are technically nonpartisan, they are set for November 4. If no candidate secures over 50% of the votes, the top two will enter a runoff.