Miami mayor Francis Suarez announced on Tuesday afternoon that he will be suspending his bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
“While I have decided to suspend my campaign for President, my commitment to making this a better nation for every American remains,” Suarez wrote in a public statement released on the social-media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
“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 failed to qualify for the first GOP debate in late August. At the time, Suarez told CNN that he would withdraw his candidacy if he did not meet the requirements outlined by the Republican National Committee to get on the stage.
“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. We deserve better,” the longshot presidential hopeful wrote in his public announcement.
Suarez made headlines for accepting cryptocurrency donations to his presidential campaign as well as offering a donation raffle prize to see Lionel Messi’s debut match with the Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit, Inter Miami.
“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, a two-term Miami mayor, was one of the last Republican hopefuls to launch a presidential bid on June 14. His father, Xavier, served as Miami mayor from 1985 until 1993, and later, a brief stint from November 1997 to March 1998.