Miami Mayor Francis Suarez suspends presidential campaign

WASHINGTON, (Reuters): Miami Mayor Francis Suarez announced on Tuesday he is suspending his presidential campaign, becoming the first major Republican candidate to do so, after failing to qualify for the first primary debate held last week.

“While I have decided to suspend my campaign for President, my commitment to making this a better nation for every American remains,” he said in a post on X, formerly called Twitter.

Running for President of the United States has been one of the greatest honors of my life. This country has given so much to my family and me. The prospect of giving back at the highest levels of public service is a motivator if not a calling. Throughout this process, I have met…

— Mayor Francis Suarez (@FrancisSuarez) August 29, 2023

Suarez, 45, entered the race in June. He described his vision for a youthful, upbeat and cross-cultural campaign in an interview with Reuters.

A Cuban-American who has sought to create a tech-driven economic boom in Miami, Suarez was the only Hispanic candidate in the Republican field and the third candidate from Florida, joining former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

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“I will continue to amplify the voices of the Hispanic community – the fastest-growing voting group in our country,” Suarez said in the online post in which he announced the suspension of his campaign.

In the post, the Republican also criticised the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden over issues like inflation and crime.

Suarez was always going to be a long shot in a race that has been dominated by Trump. Most opinion polls show DeSantis a distant second, with Suarez placed near the bottom of the pack of candidates.

Suarez has had thorny relationships with both Trump and DeSantis. He did not support Trump in his 2020 reelection bid and was critical of some of DeSantis’ COVID-19 pandemic-era policies.

Suarez had also drawn criticism for championing cryptocurrency firms such as the bankrupt FTX, which bought naming rights to Miami‘s basketball arena but was then forced to surrender them.

However, the city has seen an influx of more traditional tech companies and wealthy investors during his tenure, as well as a construction boom that has helped contribute to Miami‘s reputation as a top international tourism destination.