Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has made the surprising decision to drop out of the 2024 GOP presidential race, becoming the first candidate to do so. The move has left many wondering who he is and what led to his choice.
Francis Suarez, 45, was born and raised in Miami, a city that holds deep personal and political significance for him. He comes from a family steeped in politics, as his father, Xavier Suarez, served as the city’s first Cuban-born mayor in the 1980s and 1990s. Following in his father’s footsteps, Francis Suarez has had a successful political career, being elected as Miami’s mayor twice with overwhelming support from voters.
Suarez’s decision to exit the 2024 GOP race comes as a surprise to many, considering his strong position in Miami politics. However, he expressed his reasons on Twitter, stating that he believes the Republican Party needs to do more to include and attract the Hispanic community, which he feels has been taken for granted by the Left. Suarez believes that Hispanics are finding a home in the conservative movement due to shared values and a belief in the foundational principles of the country.
One of the reasons behind Suarez’s departure from the race was his failure to meet the Committee’s polling conditions, which prevented him from participating in the recent Republican debate. Despite this setback, Suarez remains committed to his mission of representing his vibrant community and advocating for conservative values.
During his tenure as mayor, Suarez has focused on bolstering Miami’s economy and attracting technology and innovation companies. He credits his leadership and lower taxes with transforming Miami into a major technology hub. In his campaign video, he highlights his efforts to combat homelessness and reduce the number of people living on the streets. According to Suarez, his administration has developed effective tools to address addiction and mental illness, leading to a significant decrease in homelessness.
Suarez sees himself as a traditional conservative, drawing inspiration from former President Ronald Reagan and emphasizing the importance of limited government. However, he has not been without controversy. He has clashed with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions and the governor’s claims of election fraud. More recently, Suarez criticized DeSantis for his feud with Disney, which resulted in the cancellation of a planned $1 billion office campus project and the loss of thousands of white-collar jobs.
When it comes to his stance on former President Donald Trump, Suarez has not been a staunch supporter. He did not vote for Trump in either the 2016 or 2020 elections. When questioned about Trump’s indictment for hoarding classified documents, Suarez stated that he would have turned over the documents, implying disagreement with Trump’s actions.
Mayor Francis Suarez’s decision to drop out of the 2024 GOP race has undoubtedly surprised many, but it provides an opportunity for reflection on his political career and the issues that motivated his campaign. His dedication to his community and his drive to attract technology and innovation companies to Miami have left a lasting impact on the city. As the 2024 election season progresses, it will be interesting to see how other candidates emerge and address the concerns that Suarez championed during his campaign.
