Looks like Miami Mayor Francis Suarez won’t have any real challenge in this year’s election. So, fueled by his hashtag-friendly banter and bend on technology and the national media spotlight, he can daydream about higher office.
Everybody’s been buzzing about it for months, speculating mostly that Suarez was setting himself up as a potential VP. That’s why, las malas lenguas say, the celebrity mayor met with United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley in April.
But Suarez likes being the main event. He could aim higher, and make a run for president of the United States.
The tech boy love has really gone to his head.
During an interview on “The Carlos Watson Show” podcast, first reported by The Hill, Suarez was asked if he might run for president. The mayor said that the COVID-19 pandemic (read: his status as Miami’s patient zero, which launched him into the national spotlight) makes it more viable.
“I’ll say this, the mayoral position – because of COVID, because of the 24-hour news cycle, because of social media – it’s been elevated,” Suarez told Watson, the co-founder and CEO of the media company OZY.
“People know national mayors a lot more than they did, you know, a generation ago, and so I think it becomes more possible,” said Suarez, who became a household name nationally during the COVID-19 start last year as he reported from his home quarantine several times a day.
Know more: Two-faced Francis Suarez wants to kick kids off Melreese for developers
Baby X — son of the first Cuban mayor in Miami, Xavier Suarez — also said that his age could be a factor.
“I actually think the American people would want to see someone that’s a next-generation candidate. Whether it’s me or someone else, I really do think people are thirsting for that,” said Suarez, who is 42. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are the oldest and second oldest presidents to be sworn in, at 78 and 70, respectively.
It’s hard to imagine Suarez running in such a partisan race. Officially a Republican, he has been critical of Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — who has also become a national darling — and actually endorsed Andrew Gillum in 2018. That’s going to be a hit in his primary. If he runs. I mean, it’s not like he’s been a super mayor. His greatest achievement is selling off the Melreese golf course to real estate investors.
Suarez, who hasn’t returned a call from Ladra for months now, could actually coast to re-election in November, which is a shame. He’s been such a disappointment and it would be nice to hear him debate and defend his record. His recent “wins” with national attention on his bitcoin initiatives and the creation of a technology hub in Miami have helped him get a near $5 million campaign nest egg in donations — which frightens any would-bes.
But, remember, this is someone who was rejected hard by 65% of the voters when he lost his strong mayor initiative in 2018. This is someone who practically begged Commissioner Joe Carollo to show him some respect at the dais. Someone who couldn’t get three votes on the commission to save his ass. Let’s see if his veto of a referendum on the selection of future police and fire chiefs survives Monday’s override attempt (more on that later).
And yet, he’s getting a free ride into another term. Sure, there are other candidates. But three total unknowns and the nodding lady from the Trump town hall, who lives in Coral Gables, are not a real challenge.
Know more: Poll pits Tomas Regalado against Miami Mayor Francis Suarez in this year’s race
Alas, rumors that former Mayor Tomas Regalado is going to run against Suarez haven’t materialized. He could win. Because Miami’s high performing Cuban American viejito voters don’t know what a Bitcoin is and don’t care about blooming into Silicone Beach.
Maybe he doesn’t want to cause waves for his daughter, Miami-Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado. Maybe, as Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez said Wednesday on his Sin Mordaza YouTube podcast, a deal was struck for Baby X to raise funds for Raquelita so she can run against La Alcaldesa Daniella Levine Cava in 2024.
There’s still time for someone viable to run against Suarez. Qualification ends on Saturday, Sept. 18. La esperanza es lo ultimo que se pierde.
That’s probably why Suarez thinks he can be president.
Sans challenge, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez aims for the White House added by Ladra on
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