Emilio T. Gonzalez

Even though the mayoral seat is technically non-partisan, the race has become largely divided along partisan lines and is being watched across the country as a barometer of where the political winds will blow for the 2026 midterms.

"Emilio T. Gonzales [sic] has my Complete and Total Endorsement," wrote the president, misspelling his name. Gonzalez, a conservative, will be facing Eileen Higgins, a Democrat, in the Dec. 9 runoff election which is technically nonpartisan.

Candidates Eileen Higgins and Emilio Gonzalez are scheduled to attend a public forum on Thursday at Miami Dade College's Zoubek Center.