Francis Suarez Becomes First Republican To Drop Out Of Primary Race | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's Note: This post appears here courtesy of the The Daily Wire. The author of this post is Ryan Saavedra.

    Miami Mayor Francis Suarez announced on Tuesday that he was dropping out the 2024 presidential race after failing to qualify for the first Republican Party primary debate.

    "While I have decided to suspend my campaign for President, my commitment to making this a better nation for every American remains," he said in a statement, adding that it was "a privilege to come so close to appearing on stage with the other candidates at last week's first debate."

    "The current Administration is failing our country," he added. "Inflation remains high, elevated interest rates are punishing young Americans, the southern border is wide open, crime is rising, and our enemies and adversaries are growing bolder and stronger. We deserve better."

    Suarez had announced earlier this month that he had qualified for the first Republican Party primary debate but later walked back his claim when pressed on the matter during a CNN interview.

    The New York Times noted that Suarez "often took shots at" Florida Governor Ron DeSantis throughout the course of his campaign on everything from his battle with Disney to signing legislation cracking down on radical gender theory in schools. "But he rarely attacked the party's front-runner, former President Donald J. Trump, and suggested that he would be open to pardoning him if convicted in any of his four indictments," the report added.

    The 45-year-old mayor said that he would continue to "amplify the voices of the Hispanic community - the fastest-growing voting group in our country."

    "The Left has taken Hispanics for granted for far too long, and it is no surprise that so many are finding a home in America's conservative movement," he continued. "Our party must continue doing more to include and attract this vibrant community that believes in our country's foundational values: faith, family, hard work and freedom. Younger voters, Independents, urban voters and suburban women- all of whom I've carried in previous elections - among others, should find a comfortable home in the GOP and its policies."