‘Obviously a big decision’: Suarez says he’s still mulling presidential run

Republican Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said Friday that he was still considering a run for president but indicated that time was running out for him to make a final decision.

“As you know, the due diligence related to that is extensive, and it’s obviously a big decision,” Suarez said, talking with the Miami Herald after a speech at an annual gathering of national conservatives. “So I’m going to continue to go through the process, and when I’m ready, I’ll make the decision.”

Pressed if a decision would come in a matter of weeks or months, Suarez demurred.

“It can’t take too long,” he said.

Suarez was in town here, just minutes from Washington, D.C., to give a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, a venue that has long been a traditional stop for potential presidential candidates. His wife, Gloria, accompanied him to the event.

The conference is known for embracing a hard-edged version of conservative politics: Less than an hour after Suarez spoke, Steve Bannon, a former senior adviser to ex-President Donald Trump, delivered a zealous speech accusing conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch of turning his back on Trump and valuing money over conservative principles.

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In a five-minute speech, Suarez, the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, touted the “Miami miracle” of a city he says has kept crime and taxes low. Citing the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, he also chided national politicians who he said too often ignore local officials.

It was, by the standards of other potential presidential candidates at CPAC, a relatively low-key event. Other potential candidates, like former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, spoke for more than 20 minutes, in contrast to Suarez’s comparatively brief remarks.

While former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley — who declared she was running for president last month — was swarmed after her speech by throngs of people, Suarez was able to move outside of the main stage relatively unencumbered, stopping for the occasional picture or quick conversation with a well-wisher. A conservative media host broadcasting from the conference introduced Suarez as “Francis Miles” before the mayor corrected her.

If he runs, Suarez might be the third Florida Republican to seek the party’s nomination. Trump, who lives in Palm Beach, has already launched a White House bid, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is widely believed to be preparing his own campaign.

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The mayor said the entrance of Trump and possibly DeSantis wouldn’t deter him from running.

“I don’t think you run based on who is running from the state you come from,” he said. “I think you run based on whether or not you can be successful and whether or not your vision and what you’re offering to the voters is something that contrasts significantly with the other candidates, and something that can inspire them and connect with them.”

This story was originally published March 3, 2023 at 5:26 PM.