Francis Suarez

The oldest of four siblings, Suarez is the son of Rita and Xavier Suarez, two-time Miami mayor. His aunt, Lala, is the mother of U.S. Congressman Alex Mooney from West Virginia.{{cite web|url=https://www.rollcall.com/2020/10/29/dont-throw-out-your-intern-id-badge-you-may-want-it-when-youre-in-congress/ |title=Don't Throw Out Your Intern ID Badge. You May Want It When You're in Congress |first=Eleanor |last=Van Buren |date=October 29, 2020 |access-date=October 29, 2020 |work=Roll Call}}

Suarez attended Immaculata-LaSalle High School. He graduated in 1996 and went on to graduate in the top 10% of his class from Florida International University (FIU) with a bachelor's degree in finance. Following college, Suarez chose to attend the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law, receiving his J.D. degree cum laude in 2004.{{Cite web |title=Mayor Francis Suarez|url=https://www.miamigov.com/My-Government/City-Officials/Mayor-Francis-Suarez |access-date=June 15, 2023|website=www.miamigov.com |language=en-US}}{{better source needed|date=August 2023}}

After law school, Suarez became an attorney with the law firm Greenspoon Marder, specializing in corporate and real estate transactions.

In 2021 Suarez joined the newly established Miami office of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan.{{cite web |last1=Limsky |first1=Drew |title=Mayor Suarez Joins New Miami Law Firm|url=https://sfbwmag.com/mayor-suarez-joins-new-miami-law-firm/ |publisher=South Florida Business & Wealth |access-date=8 August 2023 |date=10 May 2021}} His mayoralty is a part-time job due to its limited duties and powers. On July 1, 2023, due to his ongoing presidential candidacy, Suarez went on unpaid leave from the firm.{{cite web |last1=Suarez |first1=Francis |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is on unpaid leave from outside job at Quinn Emanuel law firm|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article277234423.html |publisher=Miami Herald |access-date=8 August 2023 |date=19 July 2023}}

Suarez's father, Xavier Suarez, served as mayor of Miami. In 1998, the elder Suarez was removed from Miami's mayoral office by the Florida circuit court. This came after a lawsuit was brought by Joe Carollo alleging voter fraud in the first round of the mayoral election, allegations which the court found held merit.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1996/07/24/carollo-rises-again-winning-miami-mayor-post/ |date=24 July 1996 |title=Carollo Rises Again, Winning Miami Mayor Post |access-date=12 June 2023 |publisher=Sun Sentinel}}

Before serving in the city government, Suarez first served on his local homeowner association. Suarez cited a home burglary that he had suffered as his motivation for getting involved.

Suarez was first elected to the Miami City Commission's District 4 seat in 2009. in a special election to replace Tomás Regalado who had resigned in order to become mayor. The initial round of the election was held was on November 3, 2009. Suarez advanced to a runoff election against Manolo Reyes after receiving 44.74 percent of the vote in the initial round, with Reyes receiving 40.50 percent, Denis Rod receiving 5.15 percent and Oscar Rodriguez-Fonts receiving 9.61 percent.{{cite web |url=http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/FL/Dade/11058/19081/en/summary.html | title=November 3, 2009 Municipal Elections | publisher=Miami-Dade County Elections}} District 4 represented portions of the city's westernmost reaches. The runoff election was on 17 November 2009. Suarez won with 51.41 percent of the vote. He was reelected unopposed in both 2011 and 2015.{{cite web | url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article35852913.html | title=Miami Commissioner Suarez reelected by default; Gort faces challenger | publisher=Miami Herald | date=19 September 2015 | access-date=9 November 2017}}

In January 2013 the Miami Herald wrote that in his first three years on the City Commission "Suarez has had mixed results passing policy." Suarez introduced a controversial motion that was passed by the City Commission, resulting in a decrease to city employees salaries. He also was an advocate for changes that were made to the zoning code of the city aimed at easing the ability to construct affordable housing. However, Suarez was unsuccessful in a push to move the city from using a weak mayor form of government to adopting a strong mayor form of government.

Suarez was initially a close ally of Mayor Regaldo. In late 2011, Regaldo asked Suarez to hold the chairmanship of the City Commission. After Regaldo was at odds with Police Chief Miguel Exposito, Suarez introduced a controversial motion to fire Exposito, which was passed by the City Commission. However, in mid-2012 Suarez became critical of Regaldo's leadership, attacking high turnover among Regaldo's staff and questioning the finance department's ability to balance the city's budget on time. Suarez even came to criticize Regaldo's feud with former police chief Exposito.{{cite web |last1=Tester |first1=Hank |last2=Hamacher |first2=Brian |title=Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez Running for Mayor|url=https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/miami-commissioner-francis-suarez-running-for-mayor/2039055/?amp=1 |publisher=NBC 6 South Florida (WTVJ) |access-date=6 August 2023 |date=15 January 2013}} Suarez ultimately announced a campaign to unseat Regaldo in the 2013 mayoral election.

Suarez was an opponent of red light cameras in the city, which had become a controversial issue in Miami.{{cite web |last1=McGregory |first1=Kathleen |title=Records: Red-light camera foe, Miami politician Francis Suarez received two tickets |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article1953123.html |publisher=Miami Herald |access-date=August 6, 2023 |date=July 9, 2013}}

{{Main|2013 Miami mayoral election}}

Suarez was widely anticipated to challenge incumbent Miami mayor Tomás Regaldo in the November 2013 mayoral election. In anticipation of his campaign, Suarez fundraised significantly at the end of 2012, with his "political communications organization" raising $460,000. This eclipsed the $160,000 that Regaldo had raised for his reelection by the end of 2012. Contributors to Suarez included Jackson Health System CEO and former Miami city manager Carlos A. Migoya as well as former Miami mayor Manny Diaz.

On January 15, 2013, Suarez officially announced his candidacy in a press conference he held outside of his personal resident in the Coral Gate neighborhood. Suarez's father attended the press conference and supported Suarez's candidacy. Suarez stated that, if elected, he would provide the city with "forward-thinking and innovative" governance. Suarez declared his campaign platform would focus on increasing the city's emergency financial reserves, helping small businesses, strengthen the city's police department, and elevating the city's national prominence. Upon the launch of Suarez's campaign, political analysts predicted a competitive election. Despite his strong fundraising and support from prominent political players, Suarez was regarded to be the underdog due to Regaldo's popularity with likely voters. Suarez being the scion of a former mayor was regarded as both a boon and a potential liability, as voter sentiments on his father's tenures as mayor varied, with his father having both a strong fan base but also carrying negative baggage with other voters. Suarez's age (thirty years Regaldo's junior) was seen as a likely liability to his candidacy, opening him up to accusations of inexperience. However, Suarez claimed his candidacy provided, "an opportunity for our generation to take a leadership role in the community."{{cite web |last1=McGregory |first1=Kathleen |title=Miami City Commissioner Francis Suarez: I'm running for mayor|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article1946340.html |publisher=Miami Herald |access-date=August 6, 2023 |date=January 15, 2013}}

For his campaign, Suarez hired experienced local political consultants, a media firm based in Washington, D.C., as well as a Virginia-based pollster. However, the primary actors in Suarez's campaign operation were relatives of his, including his cousin Steve Suarez, who served as his campaign manager.

Suarez's candidacy garnered the support of fellow Miami city commissioners Marc Sarnon, Michelle Spence-Jones, and Willy Gort.{{cite web |last1=Sanchez |first1=Melissa |title=3 Colleague's back Miami Commissioner Suarez for mayor over Regaldo|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article1951944.html |publisher=Miami Herald |access-date=6 August 2023 |date=28 May 2013}}

Suarez's candidacy was rocked by controversies regarding the conduct of staffers. Two staffers became the subject of criminal investigations for forging signatures of acquaintances on absentee ballot request forms. Another staffer submitted twenty online absentee ballot requests in violation of Florida law, which dictated that online requests could only be made by the voter or a member of their immediate family. Suarez's father was accused of possibly attempting to influence a witness in the investigations when he reached out by email one of the voters for whom a ballot request had been illegally submitted. These scandals led to both this staffer and the campaign manager (Steve Suarez) each pleading guilty to misdemeanors resulting in probation. These scandals ultimately led Suarez to end his campaign on August 26, 2013.{{cite web |last1=Rabin |first1=Charles |title=Francis Suarez abandons Miami mayor's race |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article1954445.html |publisher=Miami Herald |access-date=6 August 2023 |date=26 August 2013}} In ending his candidacy, Suarez cited several factors including "mistakes" made by his campaign team.{{cite web |last1=Mazzei |first1=Patricia |last2=Sanchez |first2=Melissa |title=Inexperience doomed Francis Suarez's Miami mayoral campaign|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article1955653.html |publisher=Miami Herald |access-date=9 August 2023 |date=30 September 2013}}

File:FrancisSuarez.jpg

Suarez was elected mayor of Miami in the 2017 election.{{cite web | url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article183362351.html | title=Miami's new, homegrown mayor has a 'mandate' and a big agenda |newspaper=Miami Herald |first1=David |last1=Smiley |first2=Douglas |last2=Hanks |date=November 7, 2017 | access-date=November 9, 2017}} The Miami Herald noted that his candidacy benefited from a strong effort to motivate voters to cast absentee ballots for him.{{cite web |last1=Smiley |first1=David |title=Miami elects a new mayor. His name is Francis Suarez {{!}} Naked Politics |url=https://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2017/11/miami-elects-a-new-mayor-his-name-is-francis-suarez.html|website=miamiherald.typepad.com |publisher=Miami Herald |access-date=August 6, 2023 |date=November 7, 2017}} Suarez is Miami's first local-born mayor.{{cite web|first=Sophia|last=Hernandez|url=https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/state/who-is-francis-suarez |title=Who is Francis Suarez?|website=ABC Action News |date=June 15, 2023 |access-date=July 5, 2023}} He is also the first mayor to not be born in Cuba since 1996, when mayor Stephen P. Clark died in office.{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}} Suarez was re-elected in the 2021 Miami mayoral election, receiving over 78% of the vote in the first ballot.{{cite news |last1=Flechas |first1=Joey |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez reelected in a Landslide Victory |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/election/article255310071.html |access-date=November 9, 2021 |work=Miami Herald |date=November 3, 2021}}

Miami has a weak mayor system under which the mayor holds little authority,{{cite web |last1=Vassolo |first1=Martin |title=Presidential hopeful Francis Suarez has little power as Miami's mayor |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/06/15/francis-suarez-president-qualifications-mayor-miami |website=Axios |access-date=July 29, 2023 |date=June 15, 2023}} The city's mayoralty is a part-time position and does not have power over the city's administration. Its limited powers include a veto over city commission legislation and the ability to declare emergencies. The mayor of Miami can also hire and fire the city manager who runs Miami's government, though the city commissioners have the ability to overrule a mayor's choice.{{cite web |last1=Hanks |first1=Douglas |title=As Miami's part-time mayor, Francis Suarez has little power but a big spotlight|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article276438626.html |website=Miami Herald |access-date=July 29, 2023 |date=June 16, 2023}} While he has limited statutory power,

Douglas Hanks of the Miami Herald noted in June 2023 that Suarez has managed to position himself as, "the most high-profile figure" in Miami's city government.

In June 2020, Suarez was elected by American mayors to serve as the second vice president of the United States Conference of Mayors{{cite web |last1=Durr |first1=Sara |date=June 30, 2020 |title=Louisville, KY Mayor Greg Fischer Becomes 78th President of the United States Conference of Mayors |url=https://www.usmayors.org/2020/06/30/louisville-ky-mayor-greg-fischer-becomes-78th-president-of-the-united-states-conference-of-mayors/ |access-date=November 12, 2021|publisher=The United States Conference of Mayors}} and in June 2021, he was elected as the first vice president of the organization.{{cite web |last1=Durr |first1=Sara |date=June 11, 2021 |title=Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley Becomes 79th President of the United States Conference of Mayors|url=https://www.usmayors.org/2021/06/11/dayton-mayor-nan-whaley-becomes-79th-president-of-the-united-states-conference-of-mayors/ |access-date=November 12, 2021|publisher=The United States Conference of Mayors}} From June 2022 to June 2023, he served as the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.{{cite web |date=June 30, 2020 |title=Mayor Suarez, From Miami, Elected as Second Vice President for the USCM |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200630005948/en/Mayor-Suarez-From-Miami-Elected-as-Second-Vice-President-for-the-USCM |access-date=November 12, 2021 |website=Business Wire}}

Suarez was included in Fortune magazine's 2021 list of the "World's 50 Greatest Leaders".{{Cite web|date=2021|title=Francis X. Suarez|url=https://fortune.com/worlds-greatest-leaders/2021/francis-x-suarez/|access-date=May 23, 2021|website=Fortune}}

As mayor, Suarez once again pushed to transition the city to a strong mayor system. A November 2018 municipal referendum was held on a ballot measure that would have changed the mayor's authority, with a heavy majority of voters rejecting such a change.{{cite web |last1=Flechas |first1=Joey |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez's bid to become most powerful person in City Hall fails|website=Miami Herald |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article220667305.html |access-date=July 29, 2023 |date=November 6, 2018}} The adoption of the ballot measure, which would have led to the mayor having power over city administration (including power over staffing offices that administer permitting and zoning departments), had been supported by many of the city's largest real estate developers, real estate brokers, and land use lawyers. More the $1.2 million was raised from such sources for Suarez's political action committee to promote a "yes" vote.{{cite web |last1=Alvarado |first1=Francisco |title=Grading Mr. Mayor|url=https://therealdeal.com/magazine/miami-december-2018/grading-mr-mayor/ |website=The Real Deal |access-date=July 29, 2023 |date=December 14, 2018}}

As mayor, Suarez has overseen a $400 million municipal bond initiative, sometimes called the Miami Forever Bond, to combat rising sea levels and support affordable housing.{{Cite web|title=Miami Launches First Phase Of $400 Million Forever Bond Program |work=WLRN |date=December 18, 2018 |access-date=January 8, 2021 |url= https://www.wlrn.org/news/2018-12-18/miami-launches-first-phase-of-400-million-forever-bond-program}} The accelerated population growth Miami has experienced since 2020 (which has included an influx of millionaires and billionaires) has contributed to a severe shortage of the city's supply of affordable housing, with Miami seeing a 48% increase between the years 2019 to 2023 to its median cost for single family residences (as measured by the Miami Association of Realtors).

Suarez played an important role in securing narrow city commission passage of approval for Miami Freedom Park and its related urban development project. The centerpiece of the project is a soccer specific stadium to be constructed by the ownership of Major League Soccer's Inter Miami CF. The stadium will be built on land that was a city-owned golf course.{{cite web |last1=Hanks |first1=Douglas |title=As Miami’s Part-Time Mayor, Francis Suarez Has Little Power But a Big Spotlight |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article276438626.html |website=Miami Herald |access-date=7 November 2024 |date=June 16, 2023}}

Suarez has advocated for the modernizing of Miami's bureaucracy. In 2018, the city adopted the Electronic Plans Review System to digitize the submission of site plans and zoning requests to the Planning and Zoning Department. This was something that Suarez had pushed for. Miami further digitized its bureaucracy by adopting the eStart system to digitize its process for obtaining building permits. Suarez touted this as streamlining the ability for businesses to get needed permits.{{cite web |last1=Hwang |first1=Victor W. |title=How Francis Suarez Is Making Miami Better for Small Business |url=https://www.inc.com/victor-w-hwang/mayor-francis-suarez-on-bringing-silicon-valley-to-miami.html |website=Inc. |access-date=July 29, 2023 |date=January 16, 2023}} Suarez proposed eStart in 2019, and it was launched in January 2021.{{cite web |last1=Johnston |first1=Ryan |title=Miami's new digital tool lets people start businesses from a mobile phone |url=https://statescoop.com/miami-estart-digital-business-tool-phone/ |website=StateScoop |access-date=July 29, 2023 |date=January 27, 2021}}

Suarez acknowledges that rising sea levels resulting from climate change pose a challenge for Miami. In February 2019 Suarez wrote an article with former Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon on how Miami is defending itself from the effects of climate change.{{Cite web |title=Opinion: Miami Battles Rising Seas |first1=Ban |last1=Ki-moon |author-link1=Ban Ki-moon |first2=Francis |last2=Suarez |work=The New York Times |date=20 February 2019 |access-date=8 January 2021 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/20/opinion/ban-ki-moon-miami-climate-change.html}}

In November 2019 the Miami City Commission unanimously adopted a resolution submitted by Suarez amounting to a climate emergency declaration for Miami. The resolution was symbolic, having no attached actions or plans. Suarez pledged to spend funds raised from the Miami Forever Bond to address climate matters and to pursue additional state and federal funding.{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Alex |title=After campaign by young activists, Miami declares 'climate emergency' It's symbolic, for now|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article237617209.html |publisher=Miami Herald |access-date=9 August 2023 |date=22 November 2019}}

Supporters and critics alike have often described Suarez (whose office as mayor has limited statutory roles and limited statutory authority) as using the pulpit of his title as Miami’s mayor to act as the city’s de facto "chief marketing officer". In March 2024, Madison Darbyshire of the Financial Times credited Suarez with playing a central role in "Miami's repositioning as a glamorous global centre."

Suarez has advertised Miami as being an ascendant low-tax business haven akin to Switzerland, Monaco, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh and Doha. He has dubbed Miami the "capital of capital" (meaning "capital [city] of [financial] capital"). The state of Florida imposes no individual income tax (making those who reside in it for at least half of the year exempt from individual income tax) and Miami has a low corporate income tax rate of 5.5%.{{cite web |last1=Darbyshire |first1=Madison |title=Miami’s mayor pitches his city as wealth-friendly 'American Switzerland' |url=https://www.ft.com/content/c3a83008-124d-484a-9c0b-9f4f9d947cbb |website=Financial Times |access-date=6 November 2024 |date=15 March 2024}} Suarez has also promoted the city of Miami to investors as being a profitable location for tech and finance firms to locate their offices.

In 2022, Suarez spoke at the World Economic Forum.{{cite web|last1=Crooks |first1=Nathan |last2=Mills |first2=Madison |title=Miami Mayor Suarez Tells Davos He Still Takes Salary in Bitcoin |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-24/miami-mayor-suarez-tells-davos-he-still-takes-salary-in-bitcoin |website=Bloomberg |access-date=July 29, 2023 |language=en |date=May 24, 2022}}

Suarez attracted national headlines by replying on Twitter to posts in which California-based technology company executives complained about their dissatisfaction with California's state government. Suarez replied to their posts with "how can I help?", which he turned into a personal catchphrase.

The city of Miami has experienced an increase in wealth and business since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Miami and the state of Florida have each seen large population growth after the start of pandemic, with the state gaining 229,090 residents between July 2020 and July 2021 (the most residents gained by any U.S. state in that time period), and Miami experiencing 12% population growth in 2022 and 14% population growth in 2023. The new population (which included new billionaire resident of Florida such as Carl Icahn, Jeff Bezos, Kenneth C. Griffin, Stephen Schwarzman, David Blumberg, and David O. Sacks) greatly increased local and state tax revenue, especially corporate tax revenue. With his eyes on higher office, Suarez has sought to lay public claim to credit for this period of economic growth. His case for his 2024 presidential candidacy was premised on his claim that his mayoral leadership had contributed to the city's economic growth.

Suarez has laid some credit for Florida's growth on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act's capping of the state and local tax deduction making Florida a more attractive state for Americans to live in than states with higher state and local taxes. He also credits Miami and Florida having less health-related restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic than many other parts of the country as attracting some of the new population. He also credits the post-pandemic increase remote work as allowing people employed elsewhere to relocate to Miami –positing that Miami's handling of "quality-of-life issues" has attracted people from other cities.

Suarez is a cryptocurrency-friendly politician, who has promoted the development of Miami as a cryptocurrency hub.{{Cite web|date=February 25, 2021|title=Miami Pushes Crypto With Proposal to Pay Workers in Bitcoin|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-11/miami-mayor-pushes-crypto-with-offer-to-pay-workers-in-bitcoin|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=Bloomberg}} He intends for Miami to be the next Silicon Valley{{cite web |last1=Gomez Licon |first1=Adriana |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez enters crowded GOP presidential race days after Trump's indictment|url=https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-enters-crowded-gop-presidential-race-days-after-trump-s-indictment/article_537259c2-d514-5aeb-a199-b45b291ebfcf.html |website=Press of Atlantic City|agency=The Associated Press |access-date=August 1, 2023 |language=en |date=June 14, 2023}} Suarez has to draw cryptocurrency capital to the city, believing that a strong embrace of crpytocurrency would modernize the city’s economy and better position it for e-business (digital business). He erected a “crypto bull” statue in Downtown Miami, an allusion to the fame Charging Bull statue in New York City (an icon of Wall Street and the Manhattan Financial District). He also made an effort to persuade the organizers of cryptocurrency conferences to host their events in Miami.

As a gesture of his support for cryptocurrency, in November 2021 he announced that he planned to receive his next mayoral salary payment in the form of bitcoin (a cryptocurrency). As of early 2024, maintained this personal bitcoin holding (having opted against selling or exchanging it).

As part of his friendliness towards cryptocurrency, Suarez touted the naming rights deal for Kaseya Center (renamed "FTX Arena") with cryptocurrency exchange FTX, appearing repeatedly with Sam Bankman-Fried. When the company filed for bankruptcy amid charges of fraud, the deal was terminated.{{Cite news |last=Hanks |first=Douglas |date=November 11, 2022 |title=Miami's star turn in the crypto boom now has an iconic bust: the Heat's FTX Arena |work=Miami Herald |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article268626092.html |url-status= |access-date=June 14, 2023}} He also supported plans FTX had before its collapse made to move its headquarters to Miami. Suarez would later comment that his decision to support involvement with FTX had "not matured well," but noted that many prominent investors had been invested in FTX.

In September 2021, Suarez revealed that his ultimate plan for the city of Miami is to abolish taxes. Instead, he hopes to fund the city's activities via the issuance and continued mining of a city-specific blockchain token called MiamiCoin – which has led to him being nicknamed "Mayor Ponzi Postalita" by documentary-maker and director Billy Corben. He also stated that Miami is looking to allow its residents to be paid in Bitcoin, and to be able to pay their taxes using Bitcoin.{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Dalvin |title=Crypto tax: 'MiamiCoin' has made the city $7 million so far, a potential game-changer for revenue collection|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/09/30/crypto-miamicoin/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 4, 2021}} In November 2021, Suarez became the first U.S. politician to take their salary in cryptocurrency.{{cite news |last=Kaplan|first=Talia|url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-says-he-will-accept-entire-salary-in-bitcoin |title=Miami mayor to accept entire salary in bitcoin |work=Fox Business |date=November 4, 2021 |access-date=January 21, 2022 }}{{Cite news |last1=Crooks |first1=Nathan |last2=Mills |first2=Madison |date=May 24, 2022 |title=Miami Mayor Suarez Tells Davos He Still Takes Salary in Bitcoin|work=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-24/miami-mayor-suarez-tells-davos-he-still-takes-salary-in-bitcoin |access-date=June 22, 2023}}{{Cite news |last1=Sorkin |first1=Andrew Ross|last2=Karaian |first2=Jason |last3=Merced |first3=Michael J. de la |last4=Livni |first4=Ephrat |last5=Kessler |first5=Sarah |date=March 23, 2021 |title=Miami Wants to Be the Hub for Bitcoin |work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/23/business/dealbook/miami-suarez-crypto.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}} Less than a year after the launch of MiamiCoin, the token was delisted from its last exchange, OKCoin, after losing over 90% of its value. Suarez lost $2,500 personally on MiamiCoin. Suarez continued to tout the money earned from MiamiCoin, and maintained his support for cryptocurrency.{{Cite news |last=Flechas |first=Joey |date=April 23, 2023 |title=MiamiCoin trading halted. After price tanked, Mayor Francis Suarez lost about $2,500 |work=Miami Herald|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article273473595.html |url-status= |access-date=June 14, 2023}}

The city of Miami partnered with the Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County governments to bid for the region to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention (DNC). Suarez was supportive of the bid, believing that it would bring money into the city, remarking {{quote|Hosting –in 2020– a Democratic National Convention will create more jobs, will deliver more revenue, and will showcase our city as more than just a tourist destination –but a center for innovation, finance and entrepreneurship.}}

Miami was one of three finalist cities, along with Houston and Milwaukee. During the bid, Suarez supported a city commission resolution that would have (only in the instance Miami was selected to host the 2020 DNC) granted Miami's municipal administrators permission to begin immediate preparations. The resolution was passed unanimously by the city commission in January 2019. A similar resolution had already been passed in Miami Beach.{{cite web |last1=Flechas |first1=Joey |last2=Kyra |first2=Gurney |title=Will Miami Host Democratic Convention in 2020? City Leaders Feel Pretty Confident |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article224204025.html |website=Miami Herald |access-date=6 November 2024 |date=January 10, 2019}} Miami was unsuccessful in its bid for the convention, with Milwaukee being selected instead.{{cite web |last1=Spicuzza |first1=Mary |first2= Bill |last2= Glauber|title=Milwaukee Wins Tight Race to Host the 2020 Democratic National Convention |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2019/03/11/dnc-milwaukee-picked-host-2020-democratic-national-convention/2836684002/ |website=Journal Sentinel |access-date=7 November 2024 |date=March 11, 2019}}

In 2021, after seeing the Las Vegas Loop constructed by Elon Musk's The Boring Company, Suarez raised the possibility of using tunneling to relieve congestion problems in Miami, proposing, "something that could potentially connect Brickell to downtown to the Grand Central station to Miami World Center to the Omni area to Edgewater, potentially to Wynwood."{{cite web |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez Says Tunnel System Could Cost Commuters As Little As $5 To Get Across Town - CBS Miami |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-tunnel-system-commuter-cost/ |website=CBS News |access-date=July 29, 2023 |date=March 22, 2021}}

The accelerated population growth that the city has experienced since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to worsening traffic congestion in the city (as of 2024, the data company Inrix ranked Miami as ranked the ninth-worst city in the world in terms of traffic).

At the time he was elected mayor, Suarez was a member of the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization. Suarez opted to retain this position after becoming mayor.{{cite web |last1=Robbins |first1=John Charles |title=New Miami Mayor Keeps Transportation Planning Seat|url=https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2017/11/28/new-miami-mayor-keeps-transportation-planning-seat/ |website=Miami Today |access-date=August 8, 2023 |date=November 28, 2017}} Suarez has been regularly absent from meetings of the regional transit boards, and has contributed little of note in his position on the board.{{cite web |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez Says Transportation Efforts Going Nowhere |url=https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2024/07/02/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-says-transportation-efforts-going-nowhere |website=Miami Today |access-date=6 November 2024 |date=2 July 2024}}

In July 2024, while attending a meeting where the board board was scheduled to hold a vote on adopting a new five-year improvement plan, Suarez publicly castigated the board as having been inadequate at improving transit. Suarez criticized the $680 million financing proposed for specific projects at Miami International Airport (including an expansion of Concourse D) as too little money and not doing enough to improve the airport. However, he appeared unaware that there had been a separate $6.8 billion capital plan for the airport (to be implemented over five to 15 years), which included the $754 million South Terminal project that had broken ground earlier that year.

At July 2024 meeting, Suarez sought to justify his regular absences from the board’s meetings, remarking, {{quote|The reason why I don't attend the TPO meetings is because we stopped talking about mass transit, it feels like, and I think it should be an item on every single agenda where we should discuss it, deliberate on it, brainstorm, have ideas 15 minutes, 30 minutes. I mean, it’s the number-one issue.}}

Suarez further criticize the board as doing too little to explore new technologies, remarking, {{quote|We're not being very innovative. We're still looking at yesterday’s technology. We have to start looking at innovation: urban air mobility, tunneling. What are we doing as a board, what are we doing as a community, to look at innovative solutions rather than just, here, we're going to do more heavy rail?}}

{{further|COVID-19 pandemic in Florida}}

On March 2, 2020, Suarez responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by announcing preparations for a potential outbreak in Miami.{{Cite web|title=No Coronavirus Cases in Miami But Preparations Continue: Mayor|url=https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/no-coronavirus-cases-in-miami-but-preparations-continue-mayor/2199463/|date=March 2, 2020|website=NBC Miami|access-date=May 20, 2020}} Though no cases had yet to reported in Miami, two cases were confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in other areas of the state of Florida. On March 4, 2020, Suarez announced plans to cancel the upcoming Ultra Music Festival, stating that the tourists attending would greatly enhance the likelihood of Miami having cases of COVID-19.{{Cite web|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/downtown-miami/article240878956.html|title=Ultra's March festival canceled over coronavirus fears in Miami, sources say|last=Flechas|first=Joey|date=March 4, 2020|website=Miami Herald|access-date=March 6, 2020}} On March 6, 2020, Suarez and the Miami municipal government responded to the outbreak, which by then had resulted in even more confirmed coronavirus cases in the state of Florida,{{Cite web|url=https://www.news4jax.com/health/2020/03/05/4th-florida-coronavirus-case-awaiting-federal-confirmation/|title=CDC confirms 4th coronavirus case in Florida|first=Steve|last=Patrick|date=March 5, 2020|website=WJXT}} by cancelling the local Calle Ocho Festival as well.{{Cite web|title=Calle Ocho Festival Cancelled, Carnaval on the Mile to Continue Amid Coronavirus Concerns|url=https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/miami-officials-to-discuss-status-of-local-events-amid-coronavirus-concerns/2201520/|date=March 6, 2020|website=NBC 6 South Florida|access-date=May 20, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://wsvn.com/entertainment/calle-ocho-ultra-music-festival-cancelled-amid-coronavirus-concerns/|title=Calle Ocho, Ultra Music Festival cancelled amid coronavirus concerns|date=March 6, 2020|website=WSVN 7News}} Suarez and two other city officials confirmed this during a press conference.

Suarez contracted the virus, which he confirmed during an interview with the Miami Herald on March 13, 2020.{{cite news|last1=Flechas|first1=Joey|last2=Leibowitz|first2=Aaron|date=March 13, 2020|title=Miami mayor tests positive for coronavirus after event with Bolsonaro and staffers|work=Miami Herald|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article241163311.html|access-date=May 20, 2020}} He was the second person confirmed to be infected in Miami-Dade County.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wptv.com/news/national/coronavirus/mayor-of-miami-tests-positive-for-covid-19-after-meeting-with-brazil-president|title=Mayor of Miami tests positive for COVID-19 after event with Brazil president|date=March 13, 2020|website=WPTV|access-date=March 13, 2020}} He began posting daily video diaries to Instagram, showing the progression of his COVID-19 infection.{{Cite web |title=Opinion {{!}} I'm the Mayor of Miami, and I Have the Coronavirus |first=Francis |last=Suarez |work=The New York Times |date=March 18, 2020 |access-date=January 8, 2021|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/18/opinion/francis-suarez-coronavirus.html}}

In April 2020, Suarez wrote to President Trump urging the president to take action to stop flights from COVID-19 "hot spots" from entering Miami International Airport. Carlos A. Giménez, the mayor of Miami-Dade County, came into conflict with Suarez over this. As Gimenez's position held oversight of the airport, he urged Trump to ignore Suarez's letter since the airport was not Suarez's purview.{{cite web|last1=Flechas|first1=Joey|last2=Hanks|first2=Douglas |title=Gimenez to White House: Ignore Miami mayor's call to halt some MIA flights over virus|website=Miami Herald |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article241741451.html|access-date=July 29, 2023|date=April 3, 2020}}

In July 2020, Suarez dedicated 39 police officers to the task of enforcing a Miami-wide mask-wearing ordinance.{{Cite web |title=City Mandates Facial Coverings in Public; Civil Penalties Approved |author= |work=miamigov.com |date=June 25, 2020 |access-date=January 8, 2021 |url=https://www.miamigov.com/Notices/News-Media/City-Mandates-Facial-Coverings-in-Public-Civil-Penalties-Approved |archive-date=July 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703023940/https://www.miamigov.com/Notices/News-Media/City-Mandates-Facial-Coverings-in-Public-Civil-Penalties-Approved |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|first=Lisa |last=Lerer|date=July 22, 2020|title=Miami Mayor Wants Florida to Mask Up, Too|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/22/us/politics/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-masks.html|access-date=January 8, 2021|work=The New York Times}}

During the 2018 Florida gubernatorial election, Suarez voted against Republican nominee and eventual winner Ron DeSantis and instead voted for his Democratic opponent Andrew Gillum.{{cite web |author=Joey Flechas |date=November 9, 2018 |title=Voters refused to expand Miami mayor's power. He might be politically weaker now.|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article221342575.html |website=Miami Herald}} He voted for DeSantis in the 2022 gubernatorial election.{{Cite web|last=Leonard|first=Kimberly|date=December 28, 2022 |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez voted for DeSantis in 2022 after supporting his Democratic opponent 4 years ago and not voting for Trump in 2020|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/miami-mayor-voted-for-desantis-but-supported-democratic-challenger-2022-12 |access-date=June 15, 2023 |website=Insider}} Suarez did not vote for Republican Donald Trump in either the 2016 or 2020 United States presidential elections; he wrote in Marco Rubio and Mike Pence instead.{{Cite web |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez says he's considering a run for president in 2024|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-says-hes-considering-a-run-for-president-in-2024/articleshow/94924641.cms |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=Business Insider}}{{Cite web |last=Botelho |first=Jessica A. |date=June 14, 2023 |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez enters GOP presidential race days after Trump's indictment |url=https://fox28savannah.com/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-enters-gop-presidential-race-days-after-trumps-indictment-politics-hispanic-candidate-republicans-democrats-joe-biden-ron-desantis-nikki-haley-tim-scott-federal-election-commission-conference-of-mayors-primary |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=WTGS}}{{Cite web |last=Clemmons |first=Niko |date=June 14, 2023 |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez files paperwork to enter 2024 presidential race|url=https://www.nbcmiami.com/decision-2024/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-files-paperwork-to-enter-2024-presidential-race/3054102/ |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=NBC 6 South Florida |agency=Associated Press}} However, Suarez endorsed Trump for the 2024 election.{{Cite web |title=Statement from Mayor Francis X. Suarez|url=https://x.com/FrancisSuarez/status/1763563505754493305?s=20 |access-date=March 1, 2024}}

Suarez is a significant figure in Florida politics,{{cite web |last1= McElvoy |first1= Anne |last2= Snowdon | first2= Peter |title=Meet the Mayor from Florida Who Wants to Be Trump’s VP |url=https://www.politico.eu/podcast/power-play/meet-the-mayor-from-florida-who-wants-to-be-trumps-vp/ |website=Politico |access-date=7 November 2024 |date=14 March 2024}} and has sought to build himself a higher national national profile. In July 2024, Governing described Suarez as, "Possibly the country’s most prominent Republican mayor."{{cite web |last1=Renn |first1=Aaron M. |title=Miami: The Under-Appreciated Urban Success Story |url=https://www.governing.com/urban/miami-the-under-appreciated-urban-success-story |website=Governing |access-date=7 November 2024 |language=en |date=22 July 2024}}

Suarez' private-sector work during his mayoralty has created allegations of conflict of interests and allegations of impropriety. Suarez, who works as a private real estate attorney, has not disclosed his clients. This has been criticized, since city officials cannot avoid creating potential conflicts of interest for the mayor without knowing who is and is not a client of his.{{Cite news |last=Blaskey |first=Sarah |date=June 5, 2023 |title=Miami official rejected plans by a developer paying Suarez. Then the mayor's aide called |work=Miami Herald|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article276035696.html |url-status= |access-date=June 13, 2023}}

On September 28, 2023, an investigation was opened by the Florida Ethics Commission after reports surfaced that Suarez did not disclose travel "gifts" worth well over $100. The "gifts" include all expenses paid flights and VIP seating for the 2022 Miami Grand Prix and the 2022 World Cup. Suarez claims to have repaid all the expenses of these "gifts" with the latter purportedly coming from David Beckham, who Suarez was seen with in his luxury box at the World Cup, and who is a registered lobbyist for Miami Freedom Park, a new MLS stadium development to be built on city-owned land.{{cite web |last1=MacLauchlan |first1=John |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez under state ethics investigation, reports say |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-under-state-ethics-investigation-reports-say/ |website=CBS |date=September 28, 2023 |access-date=10 October 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Flechas |first1=Joey |last2=Blaskey |first2=Sarah |title=Suarez's VIP Appearances at F1, World Cup Spark Complaint to State Ethics Commission |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article278452034.html |website=Miami Herald |access-date=10 October 2023}} The ethics probe was initiated after a complaint was filed by local Democratic activist Thomas Kennedy, who alleged that Suarez violated state ethics statute. The matter was investigated jointly by the state ethics commission and the Miami-Dade County Ethics Commission. In March 2024, the county commission dismissed its investigation into potential impropriety arising from this.{{cite web |last1=Scheckner |first1=Jesse |title=‘That would be interesting’: Francis Suarez again floats Governor’s run |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/685231-that-would-be-interesting-francis-suarez-again-floats-governors-run |website=Florida Politics |access-date=7 November 2024 |date=22 July 2024}}

The state ethics commission opened another investigation into Suarez, after Kennedy filed a separate complain in November 2023 alleging that Suarez's spending of municipal funds on personal security for his campaign had violated state ethics statutes. The commission dismissed the complaint in January 2024. {{cite web |last1=Scheckner |first1=Jesse |title=Francis Suarez Bashes 'Radical Liberal Activists' After Ethics Complaint Dismissal |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/656572-francis-suarez-bashes-radical-liberal-activists-after-ethics-complaint-dismissal |website=Florida Politics |access-date=7 November 2024 |date=1 February 2024}}

In a disclosure of financial statements to investors, a real estate development company named Location Ventures revealed that they had paid Suarez at least $170,000 to push a development project in Coconut Grove. Records showed that Suarez, Location Ventures CEO Rishi Kapoor, and City Manager Art Noriega met to discuss a zoning hurdle for the development.{{Cite news |last=Flechas |first=Joey |date=May 27, 2023 |title=Exclusive: Developer paid Miami's mayor $170K to push his project, company records state |work=Miami Herald|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article275653811.html |url-status= |access-date=June 13, 2023}} Suarez has faced allegations of potential impropriety in relation to this $10,000 per month in compensation for consulting services, received from a property developer who does business in the city. Suarez has publicly denied that this work presented any conflict of interest. On June 10, 2023, the Miami Herald noted that "special agents with the FBI's public corruption squad began questioning witnesses this week" on whether $10,000 monthly payments made to Suarez from London Ventures constituted bribery.{{cite news |last1=Weaver |first1=Jay |title=FBI investigates developer's payments to Miami's mayor as SEC digs into company's finances|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article276193691.html |access-date=July 17, 2023 |work=Miami Herald |date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230613021622/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article276193691.html |archive-date=June 13, 2023}}

{{see further|2024 Republican Party presidential primaries}}

File:Francis Suarez 2024 logo.svg

In April 2021, reports that Suarez could serve as a running-mate to potential 2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley emerged.{{cite web|first=Sabrina|last=Rodriguez|date=April 28, 2021|title=The Trump-rejecting Florida Republican who has a plan to fix the GOP|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/28/trump-florida-republican-fix-gop-484807|website=Politico}} A report by The Hill in September 2021 indicated that Suarez was interested in running for president in his own right.{{Cite web |last=Greenwood |first=Max |date=September 7, 2021 |title=Miami mayor on possible White House bid: I think people are 'thirsting' for a 'next-generation candidate'|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/571098-miami-mayor-on-possible-white-house-bid-i-think-people-are-thirsting-for-a |access-date=September 7, 2021 |website=The Hill}} Suarez spoke on Fox News Sunday on June 11, 2023, touting visits to early primary states, saying "when I take the message to people, they want to hear more."

He urged people to tune into a speech he is due to give at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on June 15, calling it a "big speech" about the "future of our country," the clearest indication yet of a presidential campaign announcement.{{Cite web|last=Flechas|first=Joey |date=June 7, 2023 |title=Miami mayor raising super PAC cash, assembling campaign team as '24 announcement looms|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article276068561.html |access-date=June 12, 2023 |website=Miami Herald}}

Suarez filed to run for president with the Federal Election Commission on June 14 and officially launched his bid the next day. Political scientists such as Sean Freeder of the University of North Florida publicly expressed doubts that he would be a viable contender, noting that he was likely to face two other Floridians: Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/06/15/who-is-miami-mayor-francis-suarez-2024/70325981007/|last= Lee |first= Ella |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez joins 2024 race. Here's why his GOP bid matters and how he could win|website=USA Today|date=June 15, 2023|access-date=June 15, 2023}}File:Francis Suarez (53069351780).jpg event in Palm Springs, Florida on the campaign trail on July 16, 2023]]While appearing on Hugh Hewitt's podcast on June 27, 2023, Hewitt asked Suarez about the ongoing persecution of the Uyghurs in China, to which Suarez asked "What's a Uyghur?" Suarez then assured Hewitt that he would research the ethnic group. After the podcast concluded and news of the gaffe broke, Suarez told the media that he was confused by Hewitt's pronunciation of the term 'Uyghur' and is very familiar with the crisis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2023/06/27/whats-a-uyghur-miami-mayor-suarez-now-insists-hes-familiar-with-chinas-persecution-of-muslim-minority-group-after-gaffe/?sh=6a5800bf4879|title='What's A Uyghur?': Miami Mayor Suarez Now Insists He's Familiar With China's Persecution Of Muslim Minority Group After Gaffe|first=Sara|last=Dorn|date=June 27, 2023|website=Forbes}} The gaffe was compared to 2016 presidential candidate Gary Johnson's infamous "What is Aleppo" comment amid the Syrian civil war.{{Cite web |last1=Kit |first1=Maher |last2=Mizelle |first2=Shawna |date=2023-06-27 |title='What's a Uyghur?': Miami mayor and 2024 GOP hopeful Suarez fumbles question on China {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/27/politics/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-uyghur/index.html |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Geraghty |first=Jim |date=2023-06-27 |title=Presidential Candidates Ought to Do Their Homework |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/presidential-candidates-ought-to-do-their-homework/ |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=National Review |language=en-US}}

Running for president, he staked out positions on abortion and climate change that were to the left of Florida governor Ron DeSantis, another contender for the nomination.

On July 5, 2023, a super PAC supporting Suarez launched a chatbot that uses his face and voice to answer questions about his campaign. The bot directs users to campaign videos based on the questions asked, and is capable of mocking other presidential candidates such as Ron DeSantis. The program is one of a number of examples of the use of artificial intelligence in the 2024 election, with major presidential contenders DeSantis and Trump using text-to-image models in official campaign videos.{{cite news |title=Republican hopeful launches AI chatbot to answer questions about campaign |first=Christopher |last=Hutton |work=Washington Examiner |date=July 6, 2023|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/technology/francis-suarez-ai-chatbot-2022-election-florida-news}}{{cite news |title=Francis Suarez launches AI chatbot for presidential campaign|first=Gage |last=Jackson |work=KGUN-TV |date=July 7, 2023|url=https://www.kgun9.com/francis-suarez-launches-ai-chatbot-for-presidential-campaign}}

On August 4, Suarez announced that his campaign would accept donations in Bitcoin, as part of his pro-cryptocurrency platform.{{cite web |last1=Garrity |first1=Kelly |title=Got Bitcoin? Now you can donate it to this GOP presidential candidate.|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/04/francis-suarez-2024-bitcoin-00109880 |website=Politico |date=August 4, 2023 |access-date=August 27, 2023}}

On August 8, Suarez announced that he had met the donor requirements to attend the first Republican primary debate in Milwaukee. However, the RNC had to verify this claim before he could be officially added to the roster.{{cite web |last1=Mueller |first1=Julia |title=Suarez says he's met donor threshold for first GOP debate|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4144514-suarez-met-donor-threshold-gop-debate/ |website=The Hill |date=August 8, 2023 |access-date=August 9, 2023}} He stated in an interview with The Hill that if he did not qualify for the first debate, he may leave the race.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4144754-suarez-qualifying-gop-debate/|title=Suarez says qualifying for GOP debate could make or break campaign|first=Tara|last=Suter|date=August 8, 2023|accessdate=August 8, 2023|work=The Hill}} Besides having 40,000 unique donors from 20 different states, the other requirement to attend a debate was to be consistently present in polls, which he was not.

A super PAC backing Suarez, the SOS America PAC, complained that Suarez was being excluded from polls saying that the zero and one percent that he was polling at was not reflective of his true popularity.{{cite web |last1=Scheckner |first1=Jesse |title=Super PAC backing Francis Suarez complains he's being excluded from polls|url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/627745-super-pac-backing-francis-suarez-complains-hes-being-excluded-from-polls/ |website=Florida Politics|access-date=August 9, 2023|date=August 8, 2023}} Suarez himself argued that the polling requirement was unfair for "relatively unknown" figures such as himself who are competing against candidates who have been national figures for years.{{cite web|last1=Jacquez|first1=Joe |title=Francis Suarez in Iowa urges candidates to 'drop out' if they don't make debate|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4149874-francis-suarez-iowa-state-fair-gop-debate-requirements/ |website=The Hill |date=August 12, 2023 |access-date=August 12, 2023}}

In addition to saying he would drop out if he did not meet the debate requirements, Suarez also called upon all other candidates to drop out if they failed to qualify for the debate at an event in Iowa. Suarez argues that "if you can’t meet the minimum thresholds, you shouldn’t be trying to take the time involved away from being productive.”{{cite web |last1=Tabet |first1=Alex |title=Francis Suarez suggests he may drop out of the presidential race if he doesn't make the GOP debate|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/francis-suarez-suggests-may-drop-2024-bid-doesnt-make-gop-debate-rcna99507 |website=NBC |date=August 11, 2023 |access-date=August 12, 2023}} Suarez did not meet the minimum thresholds and did not qualify for the first Republican debate on August 23.{{cite web |last1=Vassolo |first1=Martin |title=Suarez won't debate after failing to qualify|url=https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/08/23/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-fails-qualify-gop-debate |website=Axios |access-date=August 23, 2023}}

Following his failure to meet the guidelines to attend the first debate, and his call that all candidates that cannot reach these guidelines drop out, Suarez was called upon to follow his own suggestion and drop out of the race by the Miami Herald, Business Insider, Fox News, and Congressman Carlos A. Giménez.{{cite web |last1=Metzger |first1=Bryan |last2=Hall |first2=Madison |title=It's time for Francis Suarez to drop out of the 2024 GOP presidential race, according to Francis Suarez|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/francis-suarez-drop-out-failed-qualify-gop-debate-2023-8 |website=Business Insider |access-date=August 24, 2023}}{{cite web|last1=Feinstein |first1=Naomi |title=Congressman Calls Francis Suarez "Clown" Following Presidential Debate Debacle|url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/congressman-carlos-gimenez-slams-francis-suarez-after-presidential-debate-snafu-17680500 |website=Miami New Times |access-date=August 24, 2023}}{{cite web|last1=Flechas|first1=Joey|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article278476584.html|title=Suarez didn't make the presidential debate. Will he follow his own advice and drop out? |website=Miami Herald |access-date=August 24, 2023}}{{cite web|last1=Catenacci |first1=Thomas |title=GOP candidate faces calls to drop out after missing first debate |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-candidate-faces-calls-drop-out-missing-first-debate |website=Fox News |date=August 23, 2023 |access-date=August 24, 2023}} Suarez would stay true to his promise and suspended his campaign on August 29, 2023, becoming the first in the 2024 race to drop out.{{Cite web |last=Breuninger |first=Kevin |date=August 29, 2023 |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez suspends presidential campaign after failing to qualify for debates|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/29/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-suspends-presidential-campaign.html |access-date=August 29, 2023 |website=CNBC |language=en}}

During his campaign Suarez promised $20 gift cards to people who gave a $1 donation to his campaign. However, he has yet to fulfill these promises, and many of his supporters are still waiting for their gift cards. Suarez and his campaign have refused to comment on the issue.{{cite web |last1=Kamisar |first1=Ben |title=Francis Suarez promised gift cards for donations. Some donors are still waiting. |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/francis-suarez-promised-gift-cards-donations-donors-are-still-waiting-rcna111330 |website=NBC |date=September 22, 2023 |access-date=28 September 2023}}

On March 1, 2024, Suarez endorsed Trump's campaign.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4500808-former-gop-presidential-candidate-francis-suarez-endorses-trump/|title=Former GOP presidential candidate Francis Suarez endorses Trump |work=The Hill|date=March 1, 2024|accessdate=March 1, 2024|first=Filip|last=Timotija}}

Suarez expressed his interest in being Trump's running mate after himself withdrawing from the race for the Republican nomination. Observing that Trump was only constitutionally eligible to be elected to a single additional term beyond the one he had previously served, Suarez observed that it would be possible that Trump's running mate could be a front-runner for the 2028 election regardless of the election outcome. Due to this, he opined that, "anyone who doesn’t tell you that they would be interested [in being Trump’s running mate] is probably being disingenuous."

Suarez has expressed interest in running for governor in 2026. Current term-limits would prevent Ron DeSantis (the incumbent Republican governor) from seeking another term.

While Suarez identifies himself as a conservative Republican,{{Cite web |last=Geggis |first=Anne |date=June 17, 2023 |title=Francis Suarez: Investigations prove Democrats 'threatened' by his presidential candidacy|url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/619074-francis-suarez-investigations-prove-democrats-threatened-by-his-presidential-candidacy/ |access-date=June 25, 2023 |website=Florida Politics}} he is commonly described as being a moderate or liberal Republican.{{Cite web |last=Kilgore |first=Ed |date=2023-06-15 |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez Launches Improbable GOP Presidential Bid |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/06/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-launches-improbable-2024-bid.html |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=Intelligencer |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Astor |first=Maggie |date=2023-08-18 |title=Francis Suarez, Republican Presidential Candidate, on the Issues |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/08/18/us/politics/francis-suarez-republican-candidates-2024-issues.html |access-date=2024-02-06 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-14 |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez enters crowded GOP presidential race days after Trump's indictment |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-enters-crowded-gop-presidential-race-days-after-trumps-indictment |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=PBS NewsHour |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-16 |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez just joined the GOP presidential race. Here's what you should know |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90910822/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-just-joined-the-gop-presidential-race-heres-what-you-should-know |access-date=2024-02-06}}{{Cite news |last1=Pengelly |first1=Martin |last2=Luscombe |first2=Richard |date=2023-06-15 |title=Mayor of Miami Francis Suarez enters 2024 Republican presidential race |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/15/mayor-miami-francis-suarez-enters-2024-republican-presidential-race |access-date=2024-02-06 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez enters crowded GOP presidential field |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2023/06/14/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-enters-crowded-gop-presidential-race-days-after-trump-s-indictment |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=ny1.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Miami's ambitious mayor makes a big leap, but is being president really Suarez's goal? {{!}} Opinion |website=Miami Herald |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article276397096.html |access-date=2024-02-06}}{{Cite news |date=2023-09-27 |title=Francis Suarez's after-party |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/2023/09/27/francis-suarez-presidential-campaign-aftermath/ |access-date=2024-02-06 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en}}

According to an analyst for FiveThirtyEight, Suarez's "policies remain conservative (lowering taxes and keeping them low has been a focus of his administration, for example), but he takes a slightly more moderate stance on issues like climate change and immigration."{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Kaleigh |date=June 16, 2023 |title=Three Challenges Francis Suarez Will Face Running For President |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/francis-suarez-president-election-2024/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=FiveThirtyEight |language=en-US}} He has said climate change is real and he declared a climate emergency in Miami.{{Cite web |date=July 25, 2022|title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez: Climate change is 'not theoretical for us… it's real'|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-climate-change-face-the-nation/ |access-date=July 18, 2023|website=www.cbsnews.com }}{{Cite news |date=May 11, 2022 |title=Miami's Three Mayors Bridge Partisan Divide With Climate Stance |language= |work=Bloomberg News|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-11/miami-s-three-mayors-bridge-partisan-divide-with-climate-stance |access-date=July 18, 2023}} However, Suarez has also criticized climate activists for being alarmist about the impacts that they expect climate change will have on Miami.{{cite web |last1=Penley |first1=Taylor |title=Miami mayor hits back at climate ideologues who spelled doom for city: 'I'm fired up' about this |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/miami-mayor-hits-back-climate-ideologues-spelled-doom-city-im-fired-up |website=Fox News |access-date=August 9, 2023 |date=February 12, 2023}}

Suarez has supported LGBT pride events. He supported the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act as originally signed, which prohibited some classroom instruction on LGBT issues from kindergarten through third grade.{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Kaanita Iyer, David |date=June 14, 2023 |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez Officially Launches 2024 Presidential Bid |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/14/politics/francis-suarez-fec-filing/index.html |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=June 17, 2023 |title=Francis Suarez opposes 'Don't Say Gay' expansion backed by DeSantis|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/francis-suarez-opposes-dont-say-gay-expansion-backed-desantis-rcna89842 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=NBC News |language=en}} However, he opposed its later expansion to all grades.{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Kyle |date=June 20, 2023 |title=2024 Candidate Francis Suarez' Support for LGBTQ, Transgender Causes At Odds With Most GOP Candidates |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2024-candidate-francis-suarez-support-lgbtq-transgender-causes-odds-most-gop-candidates |access-date=June 25, 2023 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |first=Zoë |last=Richards |date=June 17, 2023 |title=Francis Suarez Opposes 'Don't Say Gay' Expansion Backed by DeSantis|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/francis-suarez-opposes-dont-say-gay-expansion-backed-desantis-rcna89842 |access-date=June 25, 2023 |website=NBC News |language=en}} In 2020, Suarez approved of Miami offering certification for businesses by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce making Miami the largest city in Florida to do so.{{Cite web |date=2020-07-13 |title=MIAMI BECOMES LARGEST CITY IN FLORIDA TO INCLUDE LGBT BUSINESSES CERTIFIED BY NGLCC - NGLCC |url=https://nglcc.org/news/miami-becomes-largest-city-in-florida-to-include-lgbt-businesses-certified-by-nglcc/,%20https://nglcc.org/news/miami-becomes-largest-city-in-florida-to-include-lgbt-businesses-certified-by-nglcc/ |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=nglcc.org |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-27 |title=Francis Suarez {{!}} GLAAD |url=https://glaad.org/gap/francis-suarez/ |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=glaad.org |language=en-US}} He also signed an LGBTQ Ordinance recognizing the contributions of LGBTQ people to the City of Miami.

Suarez identifies as "pro-life" or anti-abortion and supported the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization to overturn Roe v. Wade, the decision which had legalized abortion nationwide.{{Cite web |last=Jost |first=Henry |date=June 23, 2023 |title=Suarez: High Court abortion-rights rejection was 'greatest day defending life' in history|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article276700676.html#storylink=cpy |website=Miami Herald}} He announced that he supports a nationwide ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy.{{Cite web |date=June 16, 2023 |title=Suarez backs 15-week federal abortion ban, says he has 'credibility' on immigration conversation|url=https://apnews.com/article/francis-suarez-miami-2024-presidential-race-1aee6f02642f0444eef9dc642c3e55fb|access-date=June 25, 2023 |work=Associated Press News |language=en}} However, he also supported exceptions after 15 weeks of pregnancy and called abortion a "very nuanced" issue.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-18 |title=Francis Suarez calls abortion issue 'very nuanced,' calls for comprehensive discussions {{!}} Conversation with the Candidate |url=https://news.yahoo.com/francis-suarez-calls-abortion-issue-184211262.html |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}} Suarez would not say whether he supported a ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, saying instead, "the country is not there yet."{{Cite web|last=Fortinsky |first=Sarah |date=June 16, 2023 |title=Miami Mayor Francis Suarez says he would support 15-week federal abortion ban|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4052817-francis-suarez-on-15-week-federal-abortion-ban/|access-date=June 25, 2023 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}

Suarez, a first generation Cuban American, criticized the idea of repealing the 14th Amendment and birthright citizenship during his presidential campaign. Suarez noted that without birthright citizenship he would have lacked American citizenship.{{Cite web |first1=Brandon |last1=Gillespie |date=July 3, 2023 |title=GOP presidential candidate shreds 'idiotic' calls to end American birthright citizenship|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-presidential-candidate-shreds-calls-end-american-birthright-citizenship |website=Fox News|accessdate=August 9, 2023}} He also argued that refugees from Venezuela should be granted temporary protected status in the US.

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