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Suarez, 45, released a campaign video titled "I'm Running,"
which showed him jogging around the south Florida city. He
described his vision for a youthful, upbeat and cross-cultural
campaign in an interview with Reuters.
"Being the only Hispanic candidate from either party allows me
to connect with a growing segment of our population," Suarez
said. "I think our candidacy will be positive and inspirational
and aspirational, much like Reagan... Our modern-day politics
has devolved into a screaming match."
A Cuban-American who has sought to create a tech-driven economic
boom in the city, Suarez is the only Hispanic candidate in the
Republican field and the third candidate from Florida, joining
former President Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
He is a longshot in a race that is dominated by Trump. Most
polls show DeSantis a distant second, and a smattering of other
candidates barely registering with voters.
Suarez has had thorny relationships with both Trump and DeSantis.
He did not support Trump in his 2020 re-election bid and was
critical of some of DeSantis' COVID pandemic-era policies.
Asked whether that could alienate voters who have embraced Trump
and DeSantis' right-ward turn, Suarez said he wanted to be
respectful of voters' "anger" but that he would seek to channel
that energy into a "positive direction."
Suarez demurred when asked whether, as president, he would
pardon Trump. "I don't want to deal in hypotheticals," he said.
Suarez has drawn criticism for championing cryptocurrency firms
such as the bankrupt FTX, which bought naming rights to the
Miami's basketball arena but was then forced to surrender them.
However, Miami has seen an influx of more traditional tech
companies and wealthy investors during his tenure, as well as a
construction boom that has helped contribute to the city's
reputation as a top international tourism destination.
(Reporting by Katharine Jackson, Alexandra Ulmer and James
Oliphant; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Alistair Bell)
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