Francis Suarez

Francis Suarez
Born	Francis Xavier Suarez 6 10, 1977
Birthplace	Miami, Florida, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Lawyer, politician
Known for	43rd Mayor of Miami, cryptocurrency advocacy
Education	Florida International University (BBA) University of Florida (JD)
Spouse(s)	Gloria Fonts
Children	2

Francis Xavier Suarez (born October 6, 1977) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 43rd Mayor of Miami from 2017 to 2025. A member of the Republican Party, Suarez rose to prominence as a city commissioner representing Miami's 4th district from 2009 to 2017 before winning the mayoralty. The son of former Miami mayor Xavier Suarez, he became one of the most nationally visible mayors in the United States during his tenure, drawing attention for his promotion of Miami as a hub for technology and cryptocurrency, his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a large-scale infrastructure bond program. Suarez also served as the 80th president of the United States Conference of Mayors from January 2022 to June 2023. In 2023, he launched a bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination but withdrew after failing to qualify for the first primary debate. Following the conclusion of his mayoral term in December 2025, Suarez transitioned into the private sector, joining the board of AI-powered mobility company Nexar. He has also expressed interest in a potential run for Governor of Florida.

Early Life

Francis Xavier Suarez was born on October 6, 1977, in Miami, Florida. He is the son of Xavier Suarez, a Cuban-born American politician who served as mayor of Miami from 1985 to 1993. Growing up in a political household, Suarez was immersed in Miami civic life from an early age. His father's career in local government provided him with firsthand exposure to the workings of municipal politics in one of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the United States.

Suarez is also a first cousin of Alex Mooney, a Republican politician who has served in the United States Congress. The family's Cuban heritage and deep roots in Miami's political landscape shaped Suarez's identity and later career trajectory. His upbringing in a bilingual, bicultural environment in South Florida contributed to his ability to navigate Miami's complex ethnic and political landscape throughout his career.

Education

Suarez attended Florida International University (FIU), where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance. He subsequently pursued a law degree, earning his Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2004. His dual background in finance and law would inform his approach to governance, particularly his later focus on economic development, technology investment, and municipal finance during his time as both a city commissioner and mayor.

Career

Miami City Commission (2009–2017)

Suarez entered elected office in 2009 when he won a seat on the Miami City Commission, representing the city's 4th district. He succeeded Tomás Regalado, who vacated the seat to run for mayor. Suarez was subsequently reelected to the commission in 2011 and again in 2015.

During his eight years on the city commission, Suarez built a reputation as a pragmatic, business-oriented Republican who focused on issues of development, infrastructure, and quality of life in his district. His tenure on the commission provided him with detailed knowledge of the city's governance structure and its relationship with Miami-Dade County, which would prove advantageous in his subsequent campaign for mayor.

Upon Suarez's departure from the commission in 2017, he was succeeded by Manolo Reyes.

Election as Mayor (2017)

In 2017, Suarez ran for mayor of Miami, seeking to succeed the term-limited Tomás Regalado. He won the election and assumed office on November 15, 2017. At 40 years old, Suarez became the youngest person to serve as mayor of Miami in the modern era. His election also marked a notable moment in Miami political history: he was the second member of the Suarez family to hold the office, following his father Xavier Suarez's tenure decades earlier.

Suarez was reelected to a second term in 2021, securing a commanding majority of the vote. Under Miami's city charter, he was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term.

Forever Bond Infrastructure Program

One of the signature initiatives of Suarez's early tenure as mayor was the "Forever Bond" program, a $400 million general obligation bond approved by Miami voters. The bond was designed to fund a range of infrastructure improvements across the city, including road repairs, park upgrades, sea-level rise mitigation projects, affordable housing investments, and public safety enhancements.

The Forever Bond represented one of the largest capital investment programs in Miami's history. The inclusion of climate resilience funding was notable given Miami's vulnerability to sea-level rise and flooding. Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlighted Miami's efforts in addressing climate change in a 2019 opinion piece in The New York Times, bringing international attention to the city's resilience initiatives during Suarez's tenure.

COVID-19 Pandemic Response

The COVID-19 pandemic presented one of the defining challenges of Suarez's time in office. In early March 2020, as the virus began spreading across the United States, Miami officials moved to cancel or postpone major public events. The Calle Ocho Festival and the Ultra Music Festival were both cancelled amid public health concerns. Suarez and other Miami officials discussed the status of local events as the situation evolved.

In March 2020, Suarez himself tested positive for COVID-19 after attending an event where he came into contact with members of a Brazilian delegation that included President Jair Bolsonaro's press secretary. His diagnosis made national headlines and underscored the rapid spread of the virus among public officials. Suarez continued to perform his duties remotely during his quarantine and recovery.

As the pandemic progressed, the City of Miami under Suarez's leadership implemented a mandatory facial covering requirement in public spaces, with civil penalties for noncompliance. In July 2020, The New York Times covered Suarez's evolving position on mask mandates and public health measures as Miami experienced a significant surge in cases.

Suarez also authored an opinion piece in The New York Times in March 2020 describing his personal experience with the virus and the challenges facing city leaders in responding to the crisis. The piece provided a firsthand account of an elected official navigating both a personal health crisis and a public emergency simultaneously.

Cryptocurrency and Technology Advocacy

Suarez gained significant national and international attention for his aggressive promotion of Miami as a center for cryptocurrency and technology innovation. In February 2021, Bloomberg News reported on Suarez's push to integrate cryptocurrency into city operations, including an offer to allow city employees to receive a portion of their salaries in Bitcoin.

The city launched MiamiCoin, a cryptocurrency token associated with the city, and Suarez became one of the most prominent elected officials in the United States to embrace digital assets as part of municipal governance. He frequently appeared at cryptocurrency conferences and technology summits, positioning Miami as an alternative to Silicon Valley for tech entrepreneurs and investors. His efforts attracted significant media coverage and helped draw technology companies and venture capital firms to relocate or expand operations in Miami.

Suarez's cryptocurrency advocacy coincided with a broader tech migration to South Florida, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the trend toward remote work. The mayor actively courted technology executives on social media, most notably engaging with prominent figures on Twitter (now X) to encourage their relocation to Miami.

However, the broader cryptocurrency market experienced significant volatility and downturns during and after Suarez's tenure, raising questions about the long-term viability of some of the city's crypto-related initiatives. The performance of MiamiCoin, in particular, declined substantially after its initial launch, leading to scrutiny of the city's engagement with digital currencies.

United States Conference of Mayors

In January 2022, Suarez was elected as the 80th president of the United States Conference of Mayors, succeeding Nan Whaley, the mayor of Dayton, Ohio. He served in the role until June 2023, when he was succeeded by Hillary Schieve, the mayor of Reno, Nevada. The position gave Suarez a national platform to advocate for urban policy issues and further raised his profile within the Republican Party.

2024 Presidential Campaign

In 2023, Suarez announced his candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. He entered a crowded primary field that included former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and numerous other candidates.

Suarez's campaign emphasized his record as mayor, his business-friendly economic policies, his technology advocacy, and his generational appeal as a younger candidate. However, the campaign struggled to gain traction in a field dominated by Trump and DeSantis. Suarez failed to meet the polling and fundraising thresholds required to qualify for the first Republican primary debate, and he subsequently withdrew from the race. The brief presidential campaign nonetheless elevated his national profile and positioned him for future political endeavors.

Final Years as Mayor and Departure

In the final years of his tenure, Suarez continued to pursue economic development and infrastructure projects for Miami. At his last city commission meeting in December 2025, the city approved the sale of a parcel of land on Watson Island to developers for $29 million.

As Suarez prepared to leave office, he reflected on his tenure in several media appearances. In an interview with Fortune magazine in October 2025, he discussed Miami's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, contrasting the city's approach with that of New York City. In October 2025, Miami city officials presented Suarez with a key to the city in recognition of his service.

The Miami Herald published an extensive assessment of Suarez's tenure in December 2025, examining both his accomplishments and the questions surrounding his time in office under the headline "Being mayor was good for Francis Suarez. Was it good for Miami?" Miami New Times also published a retrospective of his tenure, cataloguing various controversies and notable moments from his years as mayor.

Suarez left office on December 18, 2025, and was succeeded by Eileen Higgins.

Post-Mayoral Career

Following his departure from the mayor's office, Suarez transitioned into the private sector. In early 2025, prior to leaving office, he expressed continued interest in running for governor of Florida, though he acknowledged the political dynamics that would affect such a race.

In February 2025, Suarez was appointed to the board of directors of Nexar, an AI-powered mobility solutions company, as the firm expanded its operations in American cities.

Personal Life

Suarez is married to Gloria Fonts, and the couple has two children. The family resides in Miami. Suarez is of Cuban descent and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

His father, Xavier Suarez, served as mayor of Miami from 1985 to 1993 and later served as a Miami-Dade County commissioner. His first cousin, Alex Mooney, is a Republican politician who has represented West Virginia in the United States House of Representatives.

In December 2025, as he prepared to leave office, Suarez was observed by a Miami Herald reporter driving his wife's white Tesla, reflecting his personal interest in technology and innovation that characterized much of his public career.

Recognition

In 2021, Fortune magazine named Suarez to its "World's Greatest Leaders" list, citing his efforts to attract technology companies and talent to Miami and his response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During his tenure, Suarez served as president of the United States Conference of Mayors from January 2022 to June 2023, one of the most prominent leadership positions available to a sitting American mayor. The role placed him at the forefront of national discussions on urban policy, infrastructure investment, and intergovernmental relations.

In October 2025, as his term neared its end, Miami city officials presented Suarez with a ceremonial key to the city in recognition of his eight years of service as mayor.

Legacy

Suarez's tenure as mayor of Miami from 2017 to 2025 coincided with a period of significant transformation for the city. Miami's profile as a destination for technology companies, finance firms, and international investment grew substantially during his years in office. The influx of businesses and wealthy residents from other parts of the United States, particularly from states with higher tax burdens such as New York and California, accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued throughout the remainder of his tenure.

His advocacy for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology made him one of the most prominent pro-crypto politicians in the United States and contributed to Miami's association with the digital assets industry, even as the broader crypto market experienced significant turbulence. The Forever Bond infrastructure program represented a major investment in the city's physical infrastructure and climate resilience.

At the same time, Suarez's tenure was marked by questions about whether the city's rapid growth and development were accompanied by sufficient attention to affordability, displacement, and quality-of-life concerns for long-term residents. The Miami Herald's December 2025 retrospective explicitly asked whether his tenure had been as beneficial for Miami as it had been for Suarez's own national profile. Miami New Times offered a more critical assessment, highlighting various controversies and missteps during his time in office.

Suarez's brief presidential campaign, though unsuccessful, demonstrated his national ambitions and the degree to which his mayoralty had elevated him beyond the confines of local politics. His continued interest in a gubernatorial run as of 2025 suggested that his political career may extend beyond city government.

As the second member of his family to serve as mayor of Miami, Suarez's tenure underscored the enduring influence of political dynasties in American municipal governance and the particular role of Cuban-American families in South Florida politics.