Miami Mayor Suarez drops out of presidential race

2024 Election

By Amber Jo Cooper

Published Aug. 29, 2023, 2:39 p.m. ET | Updated Aug. 29, 2023

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez speaking with attendees at the 2023 Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., July 16, 2023. (Photo/Gage Skidmore, Flickr)

MIAMI (FLV) – Miami Mayor Francis Suarez dropped out of the presidential race on Tuesday, announcing the news on social media.

Suarez said it has been “one of the greatest honors” of his life to run for president.

The mayor failed to qualify for the first Republican presidential primary debate in Wisconsin last week, according to a Republican National Committee press release.

Suarez said it was a “privilege to come so close to appearing on stage with the other candidates at last week’s first debate.”

During an Aug. 17 Fox News interview, Suarez said that any candidate who doesn’t qualify for the first debate “shouldn’t stay in the race” and “think long and hard” about dropping out before the second debate.

Candidates were required to raise money from 40,000 unique campaign donors, including a minimum of 200 unique donors in at least 20 states.

“I had looked forward to sharing the story of Miami, America’s most successful city, especially at a time when so many cities are plagued with poverty, unemployment, high taxes, violent crime, and homelessness,” Suarez said.

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

He said throughout the process, he has met “so many freedom-loving Americans who care deeply about our nation, her people, and its future.”

Suarez said the next president must “play a major role in getting America’s cities back on track to safety, prosperity and a better quality of life for all.”

The mayor said although he is suspending his campaign, his commitment to “making this a better nation for every American remains.”

“I will continue to amplify the voices of the Hispanic community – the fastest-growing voting group in our country,” Suarez said.

Suarez said “the left has taken Hispanics for granted for far too long, and it is no surprise that so many are finding a home in America’s conservative movement.”

“Our party must continue doing more to include and attract this vibrant community that believes in our country’s foundational values: faith, family, hard work and freedom,” he said.

Suarez said the current administration is “failing our country,” citing high inflation, elevated interest rates, an open border, and rising crime.

Suarez plans to keep in touch with the other Republican presidential candidates and doing what he can to “make sure our party puts forward a strong nominee who can inspire and unify the country, renew Americans’ trust in our institutions and in each other, and win.”