A candid conversation revealing why Eileen Higgins’ experience, vision, and hands-on approach set her apart in Miami’s most critical moment
Miami is at a crossroads. From Little Havana to Coconut Grove, from Shenandoah to Little Haiti, residents are feeling the pressure of rising housing costs, worsening traffic, and a government that many feel has lost sight of the people it serves. In this pivotal election year, Calle Ocho News sat down with mayoral candidate Eileen Higgins—and what she shared made one thing unmistakably clear: she is running not just on promises, but on proven work, clear strategies, and the kind of leadership Miami urgently needs.
Solving Miami’s housing crisis with action, not excuses
If there’s a single issue that defines Miami’s future, it’s housing. And Higgins doesn’t dance around the crisis—she confronts it with a rare mix of urgency and practical experience.
She’s the only candidate in this race who has actually delivered affordable housing projects at the county level, unlocking unused public land and cutting through bureaucracy to get developments moving. Now, she wants to bring that same model to the city, where permitting delays and political gridlock have stalled progress for years.
Higgins is also one of the few leaders willing to call out the city’s broken permitting process publicly. Builders waiting nearly two years to break ground on badly-needed affordable housing projects, homeowners unable to repair their roofs, small landlords unable to make upgrades without going bankrupt—Higgins has seen it firsthand.
Her message is simple:
“If Miami wants families to stay, we must build smarter, faster, and more affordably.” City of Miami Mayoral Candidate Eileen Higgins
From using AI to modernize permitting to creating real pathways for small landlords to preserve older units rather than sell to developers, Higgins brings actual solutions—not slogans.
Ethics, accountability & public trust: The leadership Miami has been missing
In a city shaken by controversies, investigations, and the erosion of trust, Higgins stands out because she can point to something her opponents cannot: a spotless record.
She doesn’t just campaign on integrity; she lives it. With eight years of public service and a lifetime without a hint of corruption, Higgins emphasizes what voters already know: leadership begins with character.
Her background in government efficiency, financial oversight, and public transparency makes her uniquely suited to restore confidence in City Hall.
Higgins is calling for:
- A full audit of city spending
- Streamlined bureaucracy
- A culture of public service — not political games
Her message to voters:
“We can grow and prosper, but not if corruption robs residents of the services they deserve.” City of Miami Mayoral Candidate Eileen Higgins
Transit, climate, culture & community: A mayor focused on the people who live here
Where other candidates offer broad ideas, Higgins offers specifics—rooted in years of hands-on work across Miami-Dade County.
On transportation, she brings experience championing the Northeast Corridor commuter rail and improving mobility systems at the county level. Her focus on equitable transit—such as restoring trolley service to Liberty City—is rare in a race often dominated by downtown-centric proposals.
On climate resilience, she is one of the only candidates discussing both infrastructure and displacement prevention. Grants, no-interest loans, and permitting reforms designed to help residents stay in their homes, not be pushed out by rising costs.
On cultural preservation, she speaks forcefully about protecting Calle Ocho, Overtown, Little Haiti, and every neighborhood facing redevelopment pressure. She’s not afraid to call out the city’s past failures—like the disastrous Flagler Street construction—which she personally fought to fix by showing up daily and demanding accountability when no one else would.
This is what sets her apart: Higgins doesn’t just talk about neighborhoods, she’s in them. She works there, walks there, and shows up when it counts. That’s the kind of leadership Miami needs in its next mayor.
Miami’s future hinges on leadership that is experienced, ethical, and deeply connected to the communities that make this city extraordinary. Eileen Higgins brings a record of results, a passion for equity, and a clear roadmap for solving Miami’s toughest challenges. Her vision is not just about growth—it’s about ensuring Miamians grow with it.
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