CNN
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Miami Mayor Francis Suarez announced Tuesday that he is ending his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
“While I have decided to suspend my campaign for president, my commitment to making this a better nation for every American remains,” Suarez said in a statement.
Suarez’s move comes after he failed to fully meet the requirements set by the Republican National Committee to hold the first presidential debate in Milwaukee last week. He He told CNN Before the debate that he would leave if he didn’t take the stage.
“I look forward to connecting with the other Republican presidential candidates and doing what I can to ensure that our party puts forward a strong candidate who will inspire and unify the country, renew Americans’ trust in our institutions and each other, and win,” Suarez said Tuesday.
Two months earlier, in mid-June, Suarez launched his long-shot bid for the presidency, urging Republicans to unite and spurring Ronald Reagan’s call for the party to rebuild its “big tent” coalition.
Suarez, the son of Cuban immigrants, was the primary Hispanic candidate for the Republican Party, which includes two high-profile fellow Floridians: former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“I will continue to amplify the voices of the Hispanic community, the fastest growing voting bloc in our country. “The left has long taken Hispanics for granted, and it’s no surprise that many find a home in America’s conservative movement,” he said Tuesday.
In his short-lived campaign, Suarez acknowledged that he didn’t have the same name recognition as many of his GOP rivals.
His campaign said he ultimately did not meet the polling criteria set by the RNC to make the Milwaukee debate stage. Candidates must register at least 1% support in three national polls or two national and two primary-state polls that meet the RNC’s criteria.
Suarez He said I had40,000 individual donor limit to qualify for discussion. His campaign used some unconventional methods, including accepting Bitcoin donations, giving away $20 gift cards and giving away tickets to soccer superstar Lionel Messi’s debut at Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. The pro-Suarez super PAC, SOS America, also donated A chance to win a free year of college With a $1 donation.
When asked if he would quit if he didn’t make the debate stage at the Iowa State Fair in early August, Suarez was direct.
“I don’t think candidates should hang around if they don’t have a credible path, and they don’t,” he said.
This story has been updated with additional information.
