Herald endorsement: Miami-Dade County Commission District 8 | Opinion

By the Miami Herald Editorial Board

Updated July 17, 2026 11:10 AM

Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, Martha Vega Hero and former Palmetto Bay Vice Mayor John DuBois are running for Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 8

Editorial Board’s endorsements for primary elections

Registered voters in Florida will be able to cast ballots in the Aug. 18 primary election through vote-by-mail, early voting or voting on Election Day. Voters will decide races for judges, the school board, the county commission, state Legislature, U.S. Senate, U.S. House and governor.

Read the Miami Herald Editorial Board’s endorsements.

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In the race for the District 8 seat on the Miami-Dade County Commission, voters will choose from among three candidates: incumbent Danielle Cohen Higgins, former Palmetto Bay Vice Mayor John DuBois and nonprofit CEO Martha Vega Hero. District 8 encompasses the municipalities of Cutler Bay, Palmetto Bay and parts of Homestead.

Our choice is Danielle Cohen Higgins, who has stood up against developers’ attempts to expand the Urban Development Boundary line that keeps sprawl in check.

Higgins, 44, is a trial attorney who was appointed to the office in December 2020 to fill the seat vacated by now-Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. She was elected to a full term in 2022. If she wins on Aug. 18, this would be her second full and last term, due to term limits.

“I’m running on my record,” she told the Editorial Board, “and on the issues that are important to the residents of District 8.”

She has been endorsed by labor unions including SEIU Florida and the South Florida AFL-CIO. One of her key issues has been championing the Southwest 87th Avenue bridge, which opened this month and is expected to help ease traffic congestion in South Dade. She has also defended the UDB, arguing that development shouldn’t outpace infrastructure or come at the expense of the county’s environmentally sensitive lands. Those are issues that remain among the district’s highest priorities.

Additionally, Cohen Higgins is focused on the county’s looming budget challenges. She told the Board that commissioners must make hard choices before asking taxpayers to shoulder additional costs. “Something has to give,” she said. “What I had said I will not do... is raise taxes.”

Cohen Higgins also understands pressing matters such as the future of Miami-Dade’s waste system. She argued Miami-Dade County needs a modern waste-to-energy facility instead of relying indefinitely on landfills.

Cohen Higgins’ campaign finances show a portion of her donations come from real estate and development interests, several of which are in her district. Voters will want to keep an eye on how she votes on future development projects.

One of her challengers, DuBois, served eight years as vice mayor of Palmetto Bay until 2020. He brings municipal experience to the race, and told the Board that fiscal responsibility is one of Miami-Dade’s most pressing concerns. He opposes building an incinerator, for now, and favors the continued use of landfills until significantly better, cleaner incineration technology is available. Regarding the UDB, DuBois,64, generally opposes moving it, except under limited circumstances.

Vega, 61, is the CEO of National Community Services, a nonprofit that promotes community inclusion and offers help with social services. She offers three decades of community service and wants to help residents, particularly seniors squeezed by escalating rents. Her focus on affordability, traffic and constituent services reflects concerns shared by many District 8 residents.

With growth pressures and budget restrictions in the coming years, we believe the residents of District 8 will be best served by the candidate with the most direct experience.

The Herald endorses DANIELLE COHEN HIGGINS for Miami-Dade County Commission District 8.

BEHIND THE STORY

Who decides the political endorsements?

In advance of local and state elections, Miami Herald Editorial Board members interview political candidates, as well as advocates and opponents of ballot measures. The Editorial Board is composed of experienced opinion journalists and is independent of the Herald’s newsroom. Members of the Miami Herald Editorial Board are: Amy Driscoll, editorial page editor; and editorial writers Isadora Rangel and Mary Anna Mancuso. Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.

What does the endorsement process look like?

The Miami Herald Editorial Board interviews political candidates to better understand their views on public policy and how their policies will affect their constituents. Board members do additional reporting and research to learn as much as possible about the candidates before making an endorsement. The Editorial Board then convenes to discuss the candidates in each race. Board members seek to reach a consensus on the endorsements, but not every decision is unanimous. Candidates who decline to be interviewed will not receive an endorsement.

Is the Editorial Board partisan?

No. In making endorsements, members of the Editorial Board consider which candidates are better prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with our editorial stances or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, readiness for office, depth of knowledge of key issues and understanding of public policy. We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points.

This story was originally published July 17, 2026 at 10:41 AM.