Texas Sen. Ted Cruz endorses candidate for Miami mayor
A U.S. senator from Texas is weighing in on the crowded race for Miami mayor.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Sen. Ted Cruz threw his support behind former city manager and retired U.S. Army Col. Emilio González, whom he referred to as “my dear friend and fellow Cuban-American.”
“As the son of a Cuban immigrant who fled communism, I know what freedom means to families like ours — and Emilio embodies that same spirit of sacrifice, resilience, and love of country,” Cruz said. “A decorated Army colonel with decades of service in intelligence and diplomacy, he understands what it means to fight for liberty both abroad and here at home. Miami deserves a leader who will honor its proud Cuban-American story and defend the values that make this city and nation great.”
Cruz’s endorsement is the third González has received in recent weeks from a major GOP politician. Last week, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott gave González his seal of approval, and Gov. Ron DeSantis formally endorsed González in September.
González has pitched himself as a candidate with strong connections in Tallahassee and Washington D.C. His resume includes working as the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under President George W. Bush. More recently, he worked as the city’s top administrator from 2018 to 2020. Before that, González was the director of Miami International Airport.
In a statement Tuesday, González said he was “deeply honored by Senator Cruz’s endorsement.”
“Our families’ journeys are woven into the fabric of this city — from exile to opportunity,” González said. “But endorsements are words until they are matched with action. I will earn every vote by delivering real results: accountability in government, safety in every neighborhood, and opportunity for every child in Miami.”
Thirteen candidates have qualified to run for Miami mayor in the city’s Nov. 4 election. In addition to González, the candidates include:
- Laura Anderson
- Elijah John Bowdre
- Joe Carollo
- Christian E. Cevallos
- Alyssa Crocker
- Kenneth James DeSantis
- Alex Díaz de la Portilla
- Michael A. Hepburn
- Eileen Higgins
- Ken Russell
- June Savage
- Xavier L. Suarez
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