Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has canceled his 2024 GOP presidential campaign amid lackluster performance, the Washington Examiner reported. Suarez is the first to drop out of the field of candidates currently dominated by former President Donald Trump.
The first presidential debate among the top Republican contenders was held Aug. 23. However, Suarez did not qualify to be on the debate stage, and he'd previously said that would be grounds for any candidate to suspend a campaign.
"I’ve sort of always agreed with that," Suarez said at the Iowa State Fair. "If you can’t meet the minimum thresholds, you shouldn’t be trying to take time and volume away from people that do," he added.
"I don’t think candidates should just sort of linger around if they don’t have a credible path," Suarez said. The mayor made the announcement that he was dropping out on X, formerly Twitter, in a lengthy post Tuesday.
"Running for President of the United States has been one of the greatest honors of my life. This country has given so much to my family and me," Suarez wrote.
"The prospect of giving back at the highest levels of public service is a motivator if not a calling," he added. Suarez went on to tout his achievements and share his vision for the future president.
"I had looked forward to sharing the story of Miami, America’s most successful city, especially at a time when so many cities are plagued with poverty, unemployment, high taxes, violent crime, and homelessness. I know what we have achieved during my tenure leading the City of Miami can be replicated in every community in our great country," Suarez asserted.
"The next President must play a major role in getting America's cities back on track to safety, prosperity, and a better quality of life for all. While I have decided to suspend my campaign for President, my commitment to making this a better nation for every American remains," the mayor added.
"I will continue to amplify the voices of the Hispanic community - the fastest-growing voting group in our country. 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," Suarez, who is Cuban-American, said.
The Miami mayor went on to speak to Republicans, suggesting they must to appeal to a broader base to win. However, Suarez saved his harshest criticism for President Joe Biden and his administration.
"The current Administration is failing our country. Inflation remains high, elevated interest rates are punishing young Americans, the southern border is wide open, crime is rising, and our enemies and adversaries are growing bolder and stronger," Suarez said
"We deserve better," he added. "I look forward to keeping in touch with the other Republican presidential candidates and doing what I can to make sure our party puts forward a strong nominee who can inspire and unify the country, renew Americans’ trust in our institutions and in each other, and win."
Suarez was right to bow out early as Trump maintains his 23-point lead over his nearest contender, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, NBC News reported. Still, as previous races indicate, there's no guarantee that Trump will keep his lead once voters actually pull the lever for their favored candidates.
Regardless of who the nominee is, it's vital that Biden is voted out of office to stop the bleeding in the U.S. economy and other sectors. The nation would be better off with just about any Republican instead of Biden.
