MIAMI — The Democratic National Committee is sending reinforcements to help elect a Democrat as Miami’s mayor, further nationalizing the race after President Donald Trump endorsed a Republican ally for the job.

Though the position of Miami mayor is nominally nonpartisan, the race is headed to a Dec. 9 runoff between former Miami-Dade City Commissioner Eileen Higgins, a Democrat, and former Miami city manager Emilio González, a Republican. Both emerged as the highest vote-getters among 13 candidates in the Nov. 4 general election, with Higgins finishing almost 17 points ahead of González.

The DNC doesn’t typically get involved in mayoral races, but the announcement comes after high-level wins during off-year elections — and as Democrats have seen some encouraging signs that Hispanic voters are dissatisfied with the GOP given worries about the economy. A win for Higgins would make her Miami’s first Democratic mayor in three decades and its first-ever woman mayor.

“Between now and Election Day, the DNC is all-in to elect Eileen Higgins and ensure Miami families have a champion who is fighting for them, not Donald Trump,” DNC chair Ken Martin said in a statement.

The DNC is activating its national volunteer base and hosting virtual phone banks in English and Spanish to help turn out voters for Higgins, as well as recruiting and training bilingual voters who’ll be on the ground.

The party didn’t say how much it was spending on the effort, but noted Democrats have been investing $22,500 a month into states that are traditionally Republican and making a commitment to build up support in the South. Martin, in a statement, tied González to Trump’s “toxic agenda,” citing how 1.5 million Floridians were expected to lose health insurance, most coming from lapsed Obamacare funding Trump opposes reinstating.

In contrast to national Democrats, Trump has a history of getting involved in the Miami-Dade elections, naming favorites from commissioner to sheriff — and seeing his preferred candidates win. His endorsement of González on Truth Social comes after voters in New York rejected his pleas to support Andrew Cuomo in the New York City mayor’s race, as well as losses for Republicans in California, New Jersey and Virginia.

The candidates are vying to replace Francis Suarez, whose time overseeing Miami during a period of massive growth. Barring a recent lawsuit, Trump’s library foundation is positioned to receive waterfront land in downtown Miami for his future presidential center. Trump is also hosting the G-20 at nearby Doral, and Miami will host several World Cup Games.

Florida — once the largest swing state in the U.S. — has been a tough get for Democrats since 2020, with the exception of some local races. While Miami-Dade County supported Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis in recent elections, Democrats see some hope in Miami because it swung slightly in favor of former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. Democrats have also pointed to their overperformance in a pair of House elections in April as evidence that the party is gaining momentum.

Both Higgins and González have tried to distance themselves in interviews from party labels and focus on the city’s problems with affordability, flooding, transportation and housing. Asked on election night what advice she had for fellow Democrats, Higgins replied: “I always tell people what matters to me. What matters to me is being honest, being hard-working, showing up every single day.” Similarly, when González thanked Trump for his endorsement, he said it sent a message that “our city deserves strong, common-sense leadership.”

González was a founding member of Veterans for Trump, worked on the White House transition team and at the Trump-aligned America First Policy Institute. At the Miami-Dade GOP’s Lincoln gala on Veterans Day, González took the stage and embraced how Democrats criticized him as the “MAGA mayor.” He also referred to Higgins as a “soft socialist.”

“If MAGA means a strong border, I think we’re all MAGA,” he said. “If MAGA means an even stronger defense, then I think we’re all MAGA. And if MAGA means an incredibly strong economy, we’re all MAGA. And if MAGA means school choice, we’re all MAGA, and if it means Second Amendment, we’re all MAGA. And protecting the most vulnerable in our society — we are all MAGA.”

Before his job in city government, González worked in the George W. Bush administration running U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and was the CEO of Miami International Airport. He has been endorsed by DeSantis, Sens. Rick Scott, Ashley Moody and Ted Cruz, as well as Rep. Byron Donalds — Trump’s 2026 pick for governor of Florida.

“Every major Republican has endorsed Emilio, from the president all the way down,” Miami-Dade County Republican Chair Kevin Cooper said. “I think you’re going to see people of statewide and even national importance getting out the vote for Emilio.”

He added that the county GOP was mobilizing its voters and would “make it known” González was a Republican. He called the race “very much winnable.”

“We are going to give her a run for her money and make her explain her policies,” he said. “If you want Miami to become California, vote for Eileen. It’s very simple.”

Higgins has focused her criticism of González on how he plans to continue working as a partner and senior adviser at an asset management firm if elected, while she plans to commit to the job of mayor full time even though it’s considered a part-time position. Higgins also has questioned González’s ability to lift Miami out of its scandal-plagued reputation, given his former role as city manager.

Asked about the DNC’s investment, Higgins senior adviser Christian Ulvert said the campaign welcomed “all support,” singling out local leaders and community groups “as we share our message for a safer, more affordable, more transparent city government that leaves no neighborhood behind and ends the corruption that has plagued city hall.”

Other Democratic groups have supported Higgins, including Ruth’s List Florida, which works to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights, as well as Democratic Rep. Frederica Wilson. The Florida Democratic Party is backing her candidacy through phone banking and door knocking. In October, Higgins attended a Florida Democratic Party fundraiser with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in Coral Gables.

González is running on a promise to help DeSantis abolish property taxes on primary homes in the state. He has also said he’s embarrassed about how city commissioners argue, and said he wants Miami to have a strong relationship with Tallahassee and with the White House to help the city’s infrastructure.