A familiar South Florida face has joined the run for the White House in 2024: Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.
He filed the paperwork Wednesday, but held off on the official announcement until Thursday when he posted his first campaign advertisement on social media.
Later that day, Suarez gave a speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. He has maintained that his message is different and more refreshing than those of his opponents in the GOP race. During his speech, he expressed his determination to revive a “Ronald Reagan America,” touted his record as a two-term mayor and criticized the Biden administration.
In part, he said, “In today’s America, this administration’s policies make the poor poorer, America weaker and if not stopped, will make China the lone super power in my lifetime. That, my fellow Americans, is a dangerous America and one we cannot allow our children to grow up in.”
The 45-year-old Cuban American is the only Hispanic candidate in the race. He is considered the underdog in the crowded Republican candidate pool. Suarez faces two other Florida men who are currently dominating polling: Former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis.
He has until August to meet the Republican National Committee’s requirements to take part in the first GOP primary debate. Examples of the requirements include a minimum of 40,000 unique donors and 1 percent support in national polls.
