Miami Mayor Francis Suarez suspended his White House campaign Tuesday, a week after he failed to qualify for the first Republican presidential nomination debate. The mayor, who launched his long-shot presidential nomination bid in June, is the first Republican presidential candidate to drop out of the 2024 race.
In a statement, Suarez said that he will "continue to amplify the voices of the Hispanic community – the fastest-growing voting group in our country." He added that 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.”
Speaking to Fox News Digital two weeks ago, Suarez noted that the first debate is "critical" for lesser-known candidates and that those who don't make it should "think long and hard" about whether they should remain in the race.
The Miami mayor had a few noteworthy successes on the campaign trail, particularly in New Hampshire – a state that holds one of the first presidential primaries. He earned high name recognition by billboards in downtown Manchester, hosting intimate meet-and-greets with local business owners, and raising more than $1 million for his campaign. But his name recognition failed to translate into the polls, and he never broke into double-digits in the surveys.
Suarez’s departure leaves the Republican field with 10 main contenders, including former President Donald Trump. Other notable candidates still in contention include former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Suarez attempted to stand out from the crowded field, emphasizing his youth and policies that aimed to modernize the Republican Party. He is an avid supporter of LGBTQ rights and has pushed for protecting Dreamers who were brought into the U.S. illegally as children. He has also proposed a plan to train and certify tech talent, as well as allowing medical patients to buy personal health records, and creating incentives for businesses to develop in urban areas.
Though Suarez will no longer vie for the Republican nomination, the Miami mayor has said he will continue to “amplify the voices of the Hispanic community.” Suarez has brought up issues such as workforce development for the Hispanic community, as well as increasing the number of impeachments for white-collar criminals. He has even been pushing for a “jobs-guarantee program” to help Americans find stable and livable wage jobs.
At the Los Angeles Times’ recent U.S.-Mexico summit, Suarez said that the GOP should do more to welcome and include Hispanics. He said that "younger voters, independents, urban voters and suburban women — all of whom I've carried in previous elections — among others, should find a comfortable home in the GOP and its policies."
Though Suarez may have dropped out of the presidential race, it is clear that he will continue to be a vocal advocate for the Hispanic community, and his policies could still find their way into the Republican platform as the race progresses.
