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The President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, announced his official endorsement of Cuban-American Emilio T. González in the race for the mayor of Miami, thereby solidifying a political alliance that could redefine the direction of local government and strengthen Republican dominance in South Florida.
Trump called his support for González a "great honor," describing him as "a successful businessman, civic leader, and veteran of the U.S. Army who has dedicated his life to public service".
The official highlighted his experience as the director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) during the presidency of George W. Bush, as well as his performance as head of Miami International Airport and his management as the city’s municipal administrator.
The president's support comes at a crucial moment, less than a month before the runoff election scheduled for December 9, in which González will face the Democrat Eileen Higgins. Neither candidate managed to surpass 50% of the votes in the first round on November 4, which has heightened political tension in Miami.
At 68 years old, Emilio González has made a strong entry into the local political arena with a direct message: "The chaos will end". In his launch speech, he warned that "the city is in danger," pointing to corruption, urban disorder, and administrative inefficiency as the major ills affecting Miami.
The former official, who resides in the The Roads neighborhood, claims that his campaign is based on three pillars: efficiency, transparency, and common sense. He promises audits from day one, tax and regulation reductions, strengthening of local police, and containment measures in response to the rising cost of living and the housing crisis.
Political sources in Tallahassee and Washington assure that González has forged alliances with key figures of the Republican Party, such as Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, who discreetly support his campaign. Now, with Trump's public endorsement, his candidacy takes on a new national dimension.
Although his critics recall the controversies that marked his departure as city manager in 2020 —following clashes with Commissioner Joe Carollo—, González insists that "he will not be intimidated by the political circus." His goal, he says, is to restore order and credibility to a city that, in his view, "has become a hostage to political maneuvering and chaos."
If successful in December, Emilio T. González would become the first mayor of Miami directly supported by a sitting president, an unprecedented fact that would reinforce Donald Trump's influence in local politics and mark a new chapter in the political history of Cuban Americans in South Florida.
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