Francis Suarez
Francis Suarez | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 43rd Mayor of Miami | |
| Assumed office November 15, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Tomás Regalado |
| Member of the Miami City Commission from the 4th district | |
| In office November 2009 – November 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Tomás Regalado |
| Succeeded by | Manolo Reyes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Francis Xavier Suarez October 6, 1977 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Parent |
|
| Education | Florida International University (BS) University of Florida (JD) |
Francis Xavier Suarez (/swɑːˈrɛz/; born October 6, 1977) is an American attorney and politician serving as the 43rd mayor of Miami. He was elected on November 7, 2017 with 86 percent of the vote.[1] Suarez is the first Miami-born mayor. He is a registered Republican, but the office of the City of Miami Mayor is nonpartisan. He previously served as City of Miami Commissioner for District 4, a position he held since he was elected in a runoff election on November 17, 2009. Suarez is the son of former Miami Mayor and current Miami-Dade County Commissioner Xavier Suarez.
Suarez also serves as Vice-Chair of the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) and is the former President of the Miami-Dade County League of Cities. In his role at the TPO, Suarez championed the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan, which was unanimously approved.[2] The SMART Plan expands mass transit options in Miami-Dade County through six main corridors and new bus routes.
Early life and education
The oldest of four siblings, Suarez is the son of two-time Miami mayor Xavier Suarez.
Between 6th and 8th grade, Suarez attended Belen Jesuit, an all-boys preparatory school. In high school, Suarez attended Immaculata-LaSalle High School. He graduated in 1996 and went on to graduate in the top 10% of his class from Florida International University with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. Following college, Francis Suarez chose to pursue a law degree and attended the Fredric G. Levin College of Law, graduating cum laude in 2004. He is an attorney with the law firm Greenspoon Marder, specializing in corporate and real estate transactions.
Career
Miami Commission (2009–2017)
Suarez was first elected as City of Miami Commissioner for District 4 in 2009. The general election to replace Tomás Regalado was on November 3, 2009. Suarez made it to the runoff election against Manolo Reyes after he received 44.74% of the vote, while Reyes received 40.50%. The other candidates in the general election were Denis Rod who had 5.15% and Oscar Rodriguez-Fonts with 9.61%.[3]
The runoff election was on November 17, 2009. Suarez won with 51.41% of the vote. He was reelected unopposed in 2011 and 2015.[4]
Mayor of Miami
Response to COVID-19 pandemic
On March 2, 2020, Suarez responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by announcing preparations for a potential outbreak in Miami.[5] Though no cases had yet to reported in Miami, two cases were confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in other areas of the state of Florida.[5] On March 4, 2020. Suarez announced plans to cancel the upcoming Ultra Music Festival, stating that the tourists attending would greatly enhance the likelihood of Miami having cases of COVID-19.[6] On March 6, 2020, Suarez and the Miami municipal government responded to the outbreak, which by then had resulted in even more confirmed coronavirus cases in the state of Florida,[7] by cancelling the local Calle Ocho Festival as well.[8][9] Suarez and two other city officials confirmed this during a press conference.[8][9]
Suarez contracted the virus, which he confirmed during an interview with Miami Herald on March 13.[10] He is the second person confirmed to be infected in Miami-Dade County.[11]
See also
References
- ^ "Miami's new, homegrown mayor has a 'mandate' and a big agenda". David Smiley and Douglas Hanks. Miami Herald. November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
- ^ "SMART Plan Matrix and Resolution" (PDF).
- ^ "November 3, 2009 Municipal Elections". Miami-Dade County Elections.
- ^ "Miami Commissioner Suarez reelected by default; Gort faces challenger". DAVID SMILEY. Miami Herald. September 19, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
- ^ a b "No Coronavirus Cases in Miami But Preparations Continue: Mayor". NBC Miami. March 2, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Flechas, Joey (March 4, 2020). "Ultra's March festival canceled over coronavirus fears in Miami, sources say". Miami Herald. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Patrick, Steve (March 5, 2020). "CDC confirms 4th coronavirus case in Florida". WJXT.
- ^ a b "Calle Ocho Festival Cancelled, Carnaval on the Mile to Continue Amid Coronavirus Concerns". NBC 6 South Florida. March 6, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b "Calle Ocho, Ultra Music Festival cancelled amid coronavirus concerns".
- ^ Flechas, Joey; Leibowitz, Aaron (March 13, 2020). "Miami mayor tests positive for coronavirus after event with Bolsonaro and staffers". Miami Herald. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Mayor of Miami tests positive for COVID-19 after event with Brazil president". WPTV. March 13, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.