Miami Mayor Francis Suarez announced on Thursday that he is running for president in 2024, joining a crowded field of Republican candidates who hope to challenge President Joe Biden or his successor.
Suarez, 44, is a Cuban-American lawyer who has been mayor of Miami since 2017. He has gained national attention for his efforts to attract tech companies and entrepreneurs to his city, as well as his outspoken criticism of the Biden administration’s immigration and foreign policies.
In a video posted on his campaign website, Suarez said he is running to “restore America’s greatness” and “rebuild our economy, our security, and our freedom.” He also highlighted his family’s story of fleeing Cuba’s communist regime and achieving the American dream.
“I’m running for president because I believe in America, and I believe in you,” Suarez said. “Together, we can make history and create a better future for ourselves and our children.”
Suarez faces a tough competition from other Republican contenders, such as former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, and Texas Senator Ted Cruz. He will also have to overcome his relatively low name recognition and fundraising ability compared to some of his rivals.
However, Suarez may have an advantage in appealing to Hispanic voters, especially in Florida, a crucial swing state that Biden narrowly lost to former President Donald Trump in 2020. Suarez has also positioned himself as a moderate conservative who can work across party lines and reach out to younger and urban voters.
“I’m not a politician who divides people or demonizes my opponents,” Suarez said. “I’m a leader who brings people together and solves problems. I’m a mayor who gets things done.”
