The 2026 Florida Legislative Session, which gaveled in January 13 and is scheduled to end on March 13, promises to be–yet again–a contentious one. With prospects increasing for continued infighting between House and Senate Republican leaders and among Republicans in general, it is likely that a number of major issues impacting the lives and the pocketbooks of Floridians will go unresolved. Instead, we may be treated to Tallahassee’s now-standard fare: showcase battles over culture war issues, continued erosion of the public interest (public schools, public health, public lands, public employees), special treatment for monied interests, and the ruthless imposition of state preemption over local decision-making powers.

Changing of the Guard in Florida City. For the first time in 42 years, voters in Florida City will not see the name of Mayor Otis T. Wallace on their municipal election ballots. On January 27, 2026, they will elect a new Mayor and likewise fill three Commission seats.

A candidate forum will be held at 6:00 pm, January 15, 2026, at Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, 1055 NW 6th Ave., Florida City, FL 33034.

RSVP here for the 1/15 Florida City candidate forum

Elieen Higgins became the first woman Mayor of Miami ever, and the first Democrat since the 1990s. This is a HUGE win, with implications for every community in the City of Miami. 

Mayor-elect Higgins won because of her commitment to restore trust in Miami government, tackle the city’s housing affordability crisis, shield small businesses from increased uncertainty in Trump’s disastrous economy and make our streets safe for EVERY Miami resident. She won, because of YOU.

This year with your help, the Miami-Dade Democratic Party worked tirelessly to Re-enroll voters in Vote-By-Mail to reverse the purge, Knocking doors and making calls across the county, and Building the infrastructure to contest every competitive race in 2026 — from school board to Congress. Donate here to continue supporting our work.

View results of the 2025 Miami mayoral election

Two Democratic candidates: Miami Mayoral candidate Eileen Higgins and Miami Beach Group I Commission candidate Monica Matteo-Salinas will be in individual run-off elections on December 9. Both candidates are officially endorsed by the Miami Dade Democratic Executive Committee.

* If you’d like to volunteer at a Miami voting location tomorrow, please email [email protected]

November delivered major developments at every level of government. Miami-Dade saw key appointments and public pushback on major land and infrastructure decisions. In Tallahassee, lawmakers advanced contentious bills on fetal personhood, firearms, and property taxes. Federally, the shutdown ended amid intensified Executive and judicial battles.

Here are the highlights shaping Florida and the nation this month.

Our hard work over the last eleven months is slowly, but surely, starting to bear fruit. Besides cheering on Democratic victories all the way from Virginia and New Jersey to California, we Miami-Dade Democrats can celebrate the wins we have just racked up here at home:

• Democratic incumbents–Laura Dominguez and Alex Fernandez (Miami Beach), and Christine King (Miami)–won re-election to their respective Commission seats.
• Democrat Eileen Higgins finished a strong first in a crowded Miami mayoral field, and is now in an excellent position to become Miami’s first woman mayor.
• Democrat Monica Matteo-Salinas powered her way to a first place finish in the race for Miami Beach Commissioner, Group I, and has won the endorsement of an impressive array of supporters in the run-off.
• Yet another Democrat–Navy veteran and Gen Z political newcomer Oscar Alejandro–earned the Miami Herald’s endorsement and came close to making the run-off for Miami Commission in District 3.

By Crystal Etienne, DEC member and President of the EDUVOTER Action Network

I have a request: I would like to move into your home, rent-free.

I’d like full access to your electricity, water, food pantry, medicine cabinet, vacuum cleaner, and alarm system. And, by the way, while I’m benefiting from everything you’ve bought or built, I will be trying to replace you in your current job or position.

You’re thinking, “Are you insane?”

Why? Because what I’ve just described is a hostile takeover of your property, a draconian case of squatter’s rights.

Ninety-one of Miami-Dade’s district schools have just learned that they are the potential victims of just such a takeover.