The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: GOP Gets Stunned by Shock Loss in Miami Mayor’s Race
Date: December 10, 2025
Hosted by: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the stunning results of Miami’s mayoral race, where Democrat Eileen Higgins achieved a historic victory over Republican Emilio Gonzalez, a MAGA-aligned candidate endorsed by Donald Trump. The Meiselas brothers analyze this upset, unpack the implications for the Republican Party—particularly MAGA in Florida—and explore broader trends, especially shifting Latino voter sentiment.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Miami's Mayoral Upset: A Historic Flip

• [00:50] The hosts announce Eileen Higgins will claim victory in the Miami mayoral runoff—the first Democratic win for this position in about 30 years.
  • Context: The Republican incumbent won by 67 points in 2021; Higgins’s win by approximately 20 points marks an 80+ point swing.
  • Corruption in MAGA Leadership: Outgoing mayor Francis Suarez (R) was described as "very corrupt," having enriched himself in office—an emblematic MAGA figure.
• Republican Collapse: Emilio Gonzalez, endorsed by Trump and also tarnished by scandal during his tenure as city manager, failed to secure what was once a Republican stronghold.

2. Trump’s Endorsement & the Latino Backlash

• [01:40 & throughout] The Trump endorsement, once considered an asset in MAGA-friendly regions, is now framed as the “kiss of death," especially in diverse communities like Miami.
  • Impact on Migrant & Latino Communities: Gonzalez openly courted Trump’s endorsement, but the podcast underscores that Trump's policies on immigration backfired in this electorate.
• Polling Data: Multiple analysts and hosts cite recent polls showing Trump severely underwater with Latino voters (see quotes below), highlighting a 36-point negative shift on immigration approval and a 34-point overall drop in Latino net favorability.

3. Pivotal Debate Moments

• [04:48-08:18] Debate Clip Highlights:
  • Gonzalez’s Defense of Trump: When asked about Trump’s immigration stance, Gonzalez claims he supports rounding up “migrant criminals” but passes responsibility to the federal government.
  • Eileen Higgins’s Response:
    • She sharply counters that “they’re going after everybody” (not just criminals), citing cruel policies and economic harm when TPS was revoked for Venezuelans.
      • Quote [07:20] Eileen Higgins:

        “Every time I am out in our neighborhoods, people are telling me the story of someone they know, a friend, a relative that has had something happen to them, including going to Alligator Alcatraz. So in addition to being inhumane and cruel, it's also bad for the economy.”

  • Acceptance of Trump’s Endorsement:
    • Interviewer pointedly asks:

      "Do you think he should have rejected the endorsement?"

      • Higgins:

        "He's the president. I’m very glad the president did not endorse me." [08:13]

4. Corruption Allegations Against Gonzalez

• [08:49-10:10]
  • Gonzalez is pressed on his resignation as city manager amid scandal. He deflects, blaming his departure primarily on his wife’s health.
  • Higgins’s Commentary:
    • She links Gonzalez to ongoing corruption in Miami government, stating:

      “When Mr. Gonzalez served as the city manager, all of the same shenanigans that are going on now were going on then.” [08:49]

  • Gonzalez attempts to downplay attack ads about his resignation as mere political gamesmanship.

5. Broader Trends in Florida & Nationwide

• [11:41–14:42]
  • The episode covers further Democratic over-performance in recent Florida races—even in districts historically dominated by Republicans.
    • Example: The Democratic win by Rob Long and a dramatic margin swing in Florida House and Senate races.
• “Blue Tsunami” & Latino Voters:
  • Dramatic polling shifts away from Trump among Latinos are described as key to Democratic surge.
    • Quote [14:48] Political Analyst:

      “A year ago…Latino voters trusted Kamala Harris more than Donald Trump by just two points. ... Now Donald Trump’s net approval rating on immigration among Latinos is 38 points underwater.”

    • Quote [15:30] Political Analyst:

      “Trump's net approval rating among Latinos in early February…just two points underwater. ... Now, late October, minus 34 points...whatever Trump is doing in office, in the minds of Latinos, it is not working.”

6. Voices from the Field

• [10:21] Simon Rosenberg interviews Eileen Higgins:

  • Higgins describes Miami as “Florida's flagship brand” and highlights residents’ frustration with corruption, fear-mongering, and unresponsive government.
    • Quote [10:23] Eileen Higgins:

      “For the past few years in Florida, it's almost been embarrassing when we're on the national news and as the city government for corruption and what that means for residents of the city. ... We are also living in an environment of fear. I call it ‘trickle down hatred.’”

• [16:36] Simon Rosenberg relays Senator Ruben Gallego’s remarks:

  • Gallego summarizes Latino voters’ economic anxieties and perceptions of Republican failures:
    • Quote [16:36] Simon Rosenberg recounting Gallego:

      “Instead, what we’re seeing is costs of everything going up and you’re separating families and you’re racially profiling Latinos. So I think you’re going to see a very strong reaction tonight from very Latino areas of both states…”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "[Trump’s] endorsement, a kiss of death." [02:38] Narrator/Host
• “Congratulations to Eileen Higgins…Miami turning back to blue.” [17:21] Narrator/Host
• On Miami MAGA Corruption:
  • "Typical MAGA… while his net worth hovered around $400,000 during his first year as mayor, it has since soared to more than $5 million." [11:41] Narrator/Host
• Polling Swing:
  • “A 36-point shift essentially from where we were a year ago on immigration…Latinos despise, hate Donald Trump.” [14:48] Political Analyst

Important Timestamps

• [00:50] – Announcement of Higgins’ historic win; context for Miami’s political shift
• [04:48] – Key debate segment on immigration, Trump endorsement
• [07:20] – Higgins’s critique of immigration enforcement and economic fallout
• [08:49] – Discussion of Gonzalez’s corruption allegations and resignation
• [10:23] – Simon Rosenberg’s interview with Eileen Higgins on corruption and city issues
• [11:41] – Breakdown of MAGA corruption under Mayor Suarez
• [14:42–15:30] – Polling analysis of Trump’s cratering Latino support
• [16:36] – Gallego’s observations on Latino communities and Republican failures
• [17:21] – Closing summary and implications for MAGA and Miami politics

Summary

This episode offers an in-depth, energetic and data-driven analysis of the Democratic victory in Miami’s mayoral race, contextualizing it as both a local and national rebuke of Trump and MAGA politics. Central themes include MAGA corruption’s backlash, Trump’s toxic brand among Latino voters, and the Democratic Party’s surprising over-performance in deep-red Florida. The episode is peppered with sharp commentary, memorable quotes, and real-world testimonies—making a compelling case that Democratic wins in historically hostile territory signal much broader political shifts underway.