POLITICS
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez Drops Out Of GOP Presidential Primary Race
Courtesy of francissuarez/Instagram
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez on Tuesday became the first candidate to drop out of the Republican presidential primary, after failing to qualify for the first GOP debate last week.
“Running for President of the United States has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Suarez wrote in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter. “It was a privilege to come so close to appearing on stage with the other candidates at last week’s first debate.”
Suarez lamented not being able to share the story of Miami, “America’s most successful city,” on the campaign trail.
“I know what we have achieved during my tenure leading the City of Miami can be replicated in every community in our great country. 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,” Suarez said.
Florida already boasts two of the biggest names in contemporary Republican politics — Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump — and Suarez struggled to capture attention outside Miami, according to Diane Canada, author of “Lady Up & Don’t Quit” and founder of the Lady Up America movement.
“It is the right decision for Suarez to bow out of his campaign. Although his record and his story are to be respected, he is unfortunately left in the wake of two of the biggest newsmakers in Florida; DeSantis and Trump,” Canada said.
“I admire his intention to step back and clear the path for others who are gaining serious ground,” Canada said. “When the field is so crowded, it only takes attention, resources, and votes from those who have an actual shot, and he understands that.”
Eight candidates participated in the first GOP debate, held on Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, Wis. Trump, the frontrunner, declined to participate, instead taping a competing interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
During the debate, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, a political newcomer, came out strongly in support of Trump, leading other candidates, particularly former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, to challenge him in the former president’s absence.
DeSantis, along with South Carolina’s Sen. Tim Scott, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson filled out the crowded debate stage.
TMX contributed to this article.
