Danielle Cohen Higgins

Miami-Dade County Commissioner — District 8

Democrat

County

Since December 2020

⚡ Up for Re-Election — Aug 18 2026

🔵 Unverified

Promise Score

71%

4 kept · 2 partial · 1 broken

Voting Attendance

Pending

Not yet entered

⚠️

The Bottom Line

Mixed Record — 71% Promise Score

71%

Out of 7 scored promises, Danielle Cohen Higgins has 4 promises kept, 2 partial, 1 broken. The record shows partial follow-through — some promises kept, others not delivered.

4 Kept 2 Partial 1 Broken

✓

Secure South Dade's Fair Share of County Funding and Resources

Economy & Taxes

✓ Kept

The Promise

"We need leadership that will continue the fight to get South Dade its fair share and ensure our community's voice is well represented on the County Commission."

Campaign Miami-Dade Democratic Party · 2019 Campaign Announcement

The Record

Secured funding for bridges, micro mobility trails, affordable housing initiatives, and community programs in District 8. Serves as Vice Chairwoman of Appropriations Committee — a direct seat at the table for county budget decisions. Collaborated with local, state, and federal officials to secure funding for the community. Consistent documented advocacy for District 8 resources across her tenure.

Gov. Record miamidade.gov · District 8 About Page

✗

Address Rising Cost of Living and Improve Wages for District 8 Residents

Economy & Taxes

✗ Broken

The Promise

"We have mounting issues like the skyrocketing cost of living — I am prepared to fight for us and advocate for positive changes that will lift up our entire community."

Campaign Miami-Dade Democratic Party · 2019 Campaign Announcement

The Record

No documented specific wage legislation or cost of living reduction initiative sponsored by Cohen Higgins at the county level. Her documented focus has been on housing, transit, environment and government innovation. Cost of living in District 8 and Miami-Dade broadly has continued rising during her tenure with no specific countermeasure attributed to her.

News Source Florida Politics · August 2022

✓

Oppose Expansion of Urban Development Boundary to Protect South Dade

Environment

✓ Kept

The Promise

"In interviews with the Miami Herald she opposed expanding the county's Urban Development Boundary which acts as a buffer between potential developments and protected lands including the Everglades."

News Source Miami Herald · August 2022 via Florida Politics

The Record

Consistently opposed UDB expansion throughout her tenure — documented in 2022 campaign coverage. Opposed development threatening Biscayne Bay and Everglades buffer lands. No documented vote in favor of UDB expansion found in public record.

News Source Florida Politics · August 2022

✓

Innovate County Government to Be More Proactive Than Reactive

Government Reform

✓ Kept

The Promise

"Innovating government to be more proactive rather than reactive."

Gov. Record miamidade.gov · District 8 Policy Priorities

The Record

Created recurring community programs — Safe Summers, Hometown Heroes, and Community Conversations — demonstrating proactive community engagement. Served on the Government Efficiency and Transparency Ad Hoc Committee. Sponsored hundreds of measures across her tenure covering wide range of community issues.

News Source Kelley Kronenberg Bio · January 2026 · Florida Politics · August 2022

✓

Support Environmental Sustainability and Protect Biscayne Bay

Environment

✓ Kept

The Promise

"Supporting commonsense environmental sustainability measures — the quality of our water, overdevelopment and pollution is a focus of my agenda"

Gov. Record miamidade.gov · District 8 Policy Priorities · Florida Politics · August 2022

The Record

Served as Chairwoman of the Biscayne Bay Watershed Advisory Board — a direct leadership role in protecting Biscayne Bay. Currently serves as member of the State's Biscayne Bay Commission. Documented consistent advocacy for environmental sustainability and opposed expansion of the Urban Development Boundary to protect Everglades buffer lands.

Gov. Record miamidade.gov · District 8 About Page

◐

Bring Effective Transit Solutions and Alleviate Traffic in District 8

Infrastructure

◐ Partial

The Promise

"My main priority will be transportation issues in south Miami-Dade. Traffic has become a dangerous nightmare and I am ready to confront these challenges head on."

News Source NBC Miami · December 2020 · Miami-Dade Democratic Party · 2019

The Record

Created micro mobility trails connecting South Miami-Dade municipalities and built a long-planned bridge connecting two South Dade communities. Serves as Board Member of the Transportation Planning Organization. However no major transit expansion or rail connection to South Dade delivered — her own policy page still lists bringing transit solutions as an active priority suggesting it remains unfinished.

News Source Florida Politics · August 2022

◐

Address Housing Affordability Crisis in District 8

Housing

◐ Partial

The Promise

"We have mounting issues like the skyrocketing cost of living, a true affordability crisis — I am ready to confront these challenges head on."

Campaign Miami-Dade Democratic Party · 2019 Campaign Announcement

The Record

Documented affordable housing initiatives including bridges, affordable housing projects, and championing smart development in District 8. Serves as Vice Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee giving her direct influence over housing funding. However her own policy page acknowledges housing affordability challenges are "pricing families out of Miami-Dade County" — indicating the crisis is ongoing and not resolved.

News Source Florida Politics · August 2022

Promise Score Over Time

Month	Score	Entries	Change
May 2026	71%	7	—

Legislative record pending.

Danielle Cohen Higgins is the Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 8, first appointed on December 7, 2020 to fill the seat vacated by Daniella Levine Cava when she was elected Mayor, then elected overwhelmingly in August 2022. A first-generation American and daughter of Jamaican immigrants, she was born at the county's public hospital, attended all Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and spent her early years in public housing. She graduated in the top 2% of her high school class and earned an academic scholarship to the University of Florida where she became a University Scholar — the first in her family to attend college. She earned her J.D. from Florida State University School of Law in 2003. She built a 19-year career as a civil trial attorney and former law firm owner before entering public office. She serves as Chairwoman of the Airport Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, and also serves on the Port and Resiliency, Infrastructure Innovation and Technology, and Government Efficiency and Transparency Committees. District 8 covers a significant portion of southeastern Miami-Dade County.

Others from County Government

Miami-Dade County Commissioners represent one of 13 districts and serve four-year terms. Commissioners set county policy, vote on legislation and resolutions, approve the annual budget, review development plans, and represent their constituents before the full Board of County Commissioners. The Commission serves as Miami-Dade's primary legislative and policy-making body overseeing a county government of approximately 23,000 employees and a $12 billion annual budget serving nearly 3 million residents.

Danielle Cohen Higgins serves on the following committees: Chairwoman — Airport Committee · Vice Chairwoman — Appropriations Committee · Member — Infrastructure Innovation and Technology Committee · Member — Port and Resiliency Committee · Member — Government Efficiency and Transparency Ad Hoc Committee · Member — Biscayne Bay Commission

District 8 covers a significant portion of southeastern Miami-Dade County.

Donor information pending.

Office Phone

(305) 378-6677

Official Email

[email protected]

Office Address

South Dade Government Center, 10710 SW 211th Street, Suite 103, Cutler Bay, FL 33189

ZIP Codes Served

33157, 33158, 33160, 33176, 33183, 33186, 33187, 33193