Because she cleared the 50% threshold, there will be no November runoff. The race is over.

Former Palmetto Bay Vice Mayor John DuBois finished second with about 28%, and nonprofit consulting firm owner Martha "Vega" Hero came in third with about 17%, according to unofficial results reported by the Miami Herald shortly after 8 p.m. The Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections began posting results after polls closed at 7 p.m.

The results are preliminary. Final certified totals will follow the county canvassing process.

District 8 covers three towns; Cohen Higgins seeks third term on commission

District 8 covers Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Cohen Higgins, 45, a trial lawyer, first joined the commission in 2020 after commissioners appointed her to the seat Daniella Levine Cava vacated upon winning the mayor's race. Cohen Higgins won her first full four-year term in 2022.

She campaigned as a commissioner willing to pick fights, pointing to her support for the Southwest 87th Avenue auto bridge that Palmetto Bay opposed and her opposition to an industrial project outside the county's Urban Development Boundary.

"I am constantly sounding that alarm on the dais," Cohen Higgins told Local 10 News on Aug. 5, describing her approach to budget oversight ahead of the primary. "On behalf of my district and all of the residents of Miami-Dade County, I'm making sure that our tax dollars are being spent wisely, whether that's scrutinizing contracts, [or answering the question of] why are we overpaying for properties."

DuBois self-funded on traffic; Hero ran on senior housing

DuBois, 64, owns a video-surveillance company and largely self-funded his campaign, raising about $146,000 total. He focused on traffic congestion in the suburban district as a neglected problem.

Hero, 61, promised to expand affordable housing for seniors. Her campaign raised about $47,000.

Cohen Higgins far outpaced both, raising more than $2 million across two political committees and her campaign account.

Seat won't appear on November ballot; other races remain

With no runoff needed, Cohen Higgins is set to continue representing District 8. The countywide general election is Nov. 3, but the District 8 commission seat will not appear on that ballot. Residents with questions about other races on the November ballot can visit votemiamidade.gov.