Francis Suarez will be the ninth Republican presidential candidate to qualify for the first debate. Organized by the Republican National Committee, it will take place next Wednesday, August 23 in the city of Milwaukee (Wisconsin). The mayor of Miami celebrated his meeting the requirements with a statement, in which he stressed that his vision for the United States is to look more like the city that now hosts Lionel Messi.
With Donald Trump confirming his absence, Ron DeSantis, Tim Scott, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Mike Pence, Christie and Doug Burgum will join the mayor on stage.
Suarez, who launched his presidential campaign on June 15, celebrated his entry into the debate with a statement. "I am excited to announce that I have met all the criteria to qualify for the GOP’s first primary debate. While our campaign only began a few weeks ago, I am humbled knowing Republicans from all fifty states have donated to our campaign—nearly 50,000 thus far."
I am excited to announce that I have met all of the criteria to qualify for the @GOP’s first primary debate.
While our campaign only began a few weeks ago, I am humbled knowing that Republicans from all fifty states have donated to our campaign—nearly 50,000 thus far.
Now, I… pic.twitter.com/VNBGVvJ77N
— Mayor Francis Suarez (@FrancisSuarez) August 18, 2023
In addition, he assured that his team will redouble their efforts to boost his name nationally and begin to climb in the polls, which currently rank him last of all the candidates with whom he will share the stage on Tuesday.
"Now, I will renew my efforts to tell America about how I used conservative ideas to turn Miami into a shining example of what our party can be. A party that cares and delivers. A party where your future is only limited by your own efforts. Miami is the safest, most prosperous, and most free big city in the world. The Republican Party is going to need a bigger tent!" he added.
The requirements to qualify for the first Republican debate
For starters, they have to pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee, something both Trump and other candidates have not looked at favorably. Only DeSantis, Ramaswamy, Scott, Burgum, and Haley signed the document drafted by the RNC.
"I affirm that if I do not win the 2024 Republican nomination of President of the United States, I will honor the will of the primary voters and support the nominee in order to save our country and defeat Joe Biden. I further pledge that I will not seek to run as an independent or write-in candidate nor will I seek or accept the nomination for president of any other party."
If you haven’t heard, I’ve got an exciting announcement to make.#FXS24 pic.twitter.com/DxUQEawego
— Mayor Francis Suarez (@FrancisSuarez) August 18, 2023
In addition, they must meet donations from at least 40,000 domestic taxpayers and the candidate must consistently obtain more than 1% in three national polls or in two national polls and one state while having "at least 200 unique donors per state or territory in more than 20 states and/or territories." Finally, they may not participate in any external debates.
The deadline to comply with the requirements will be August 21, just 48 hours before the debate. Only polls carried out after June 1 will be valid.
Who is Francis Suarez?
The 45-year-old mayor says his father is his best friend, enjoys CrossFit, is a sports fan and likes to give a more human and relaxed image, often wearing shorts on his podcast, Cafecito Talk. He seeks to attract more moderate Republicans with a unifying discourse, emphasizing his electoral advantages against Joe Biden.
"I'm running for president because I think I have a different message than other candidates. I think what I've noticed in the last 24 hours is an outpouring of support because people want someone who can unify them," he said when he launched his campaign.
As for his management of Miami, Suarez highlights his defense of the police and in particular the fact that Miami has the lowest number of homicides per capita since 1964. In addition, he oversaw the Miami Forever Bond, a $400 million municipal bond initiative to combat sea level rise and support affordable housing.
He is proud of Miami's efforts to combat the effects of climate change. For example, in his 2023 State of the City address, he assured that the "environment is the economy" for the city. During his tenure, the city published a comprehensive Stormwater Master Plan, which will allocate $3.8 billion over the next few decades to build levees and other storm-proof infrastructure in the South Florida city.
He has been vocal with harsh words for both Trump and DeSantis, so it is expected that his rhetoric will be more similar to that of the candidates more distant from the MAGA movement. In fact, Suarez did not vote for the current governor in the 2018 election, choosing Democrat Andrew Gillum instead, although he did endorse him in his successful 2022 re-election campaign.
