Francis Suarez
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| Francis Suarez | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Francis Suarez |
| Birth date | 6 October 1977 |
| Birth place | Miami , Florida, United States |
| Office | Mayor of Miami |
| Term start | 2017 |
| Predecessor | Tomás Regalado |
| Party | Republican Party |
| Alma mater | Florida International University; University of Florida |
| Profession | Attorney; Politician |
Francis Suarez is an American attorney and politician who has served as mayor of Miami since 2017. He is a member of the Republican Party and gained national attention for his focus on technology initiatives, international relations with Latin America, and a 2024 presidential candidacy. Suarez has been a prominent figure in Florida politics and municipal governance, engaging with business leaders, diplomatic missions, and federal officials.
Early life and education
Suarez was born in Miami to parents of Cuban American heritage and raised in a family active in Florida public life, including ties to Hialeah and Cuban exile communities. He attended Belen Jesuit Preparatory School and later graduated from Florida International University with a degree in political science and obtained a law degree from the University of Florida College of Law. During his student years he participated in activities connected to Miami-Dade County civic organizations and engaged with networks linked to Hispanic professional groups and nonprofit organizations.
Legal and early career
After law school, Suarez practiced at private law firms in Miami, working on transactional matters and municipal legal issues that brought him into contact with Miami-Dade County officials, corporate counsel for real estate firms, and regulatory attorneys. He served as an adjunct or guest participant in forums tied to Bar Association of Miami-Dade County events and collaborated with legal teams connected to state administrative proceedings. His early professional network included attorneys from regional firms, consultants involved with urban development projects, and advisors engaged with public finance matters.
Miami politics and mayoralty
Suarez was first elected to the Miami City Commission representing District 4, succeeding predecessors associated with long-standing Miami political families. He became Mayor of Miami in 2017, taking office after Tomás Regalado and overseeing municipal responses to issues such as Hurricane Irma, coastal resilience initiatives, and downtown development linked to Brickell and the Port of Miami. As mayor he promoted partnerships with technology companies in Silicon Valley, engaged with foreign missions including delegations from Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico, and worked with state leaders such as Ron DeSantis on statewide infrastructure programs. Suarez prioritized attracting corporate relocations from metropolitan areas like New York City and San Francisco while coordinating with federal agencies including offices tied to Federal Emergency Management Agency and representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce on trade and investment matters.
2024 presidential campaign
Suarez launched a campaign for the 2024 United States presidential election as a candidate in the Republican field, participating in debates and fundraising operations in early primary states such as Iowa and New Hampshire. His campaign emphasized positions on technology policy and international engagement with Latin America, seeking endorsements from municipal leaders, business executives, and some members of the Republican National Committee. Suarez appeared on national media outlets, met with delegations from Israel and European capitals, and filed campaign documents with the Federal Election Commission. He later adjusted campaign strategy amid developments in the primary calendar and the consolidation of high-profile contenders like Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis.
Political positions and policies
Suarez's municipal agenda featured initiatives addressing climate change resilience through seawall and flood mitigation projects with consultants from engineering firms and academic collaboration with University of Miami researchers. He advocated for incentives to attract technology firms and financial services firms, courting relocations from Silicon Valley and Wall Street with tax and regulatory proposals aligned with Florida state competitiveness efforts. On immigration he engaged with Cuban, Venezuelan, and Colombian diaspora groups and coordinated municipal outreach alongside consular missions in Miami. Suarez took stances on public safety working with local police leadership and county prosecutors, and on housing he promoted partnerships between city planning offices and private developers in neighborhoods such as Wynwood and Little Havana.
Personal life and affiliations
Suarez is married and has children; his family has been involved in local civic life and connections to institutions like Belen Jesuit Preparatory School and community foundations in Miami-Dade County. He is affiliated with civic organizations, business coalitions, and alumni associations tied to Florida International University and the University of Florida. Suarez has been recognized by local chambers of commerce and engaged with philanthropic boards, international trade organizations, and municipal networks such as the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
Category:Mayors of Miami Category:Florida Republicans Category:1977 births Category:Living people