Miami Mayoral Debate Features Corruption Accusations, Endorsement

Six candidates for Miami mayor — the top six vote-getters in a Downtown Neighbors Alliance poll — debated Monday at the Hyatt Regency in a CBS News Miami forum moderated by Eliott Rodriguez. They clashed over traffic, flooding, homelessness, affordable housing, slow permitting and corruption, with Commissioner Eileen Higgins blaming permitting delays for worsening the housing crisis and former Commissioner Ken Russell proposing to prioritize downtown authority funds for homelessness. Former City Manager Emilio González accused Commissioner Joe Carollo of corruption, which Carollo denied, and candidates sparred over records and leadership style. The race has drawn statewide attention after Gov. Ron DeSantis publicly endorsed González, who also successfully challenged efforts to delay the election. Separately, Miami Beach voters will choose a mayor and three commissioners on Nov. 4, where 13 candidates are campaigning on public safety, anti-overdevelopment measures, affordable housing and economic revitalization.