Florida
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez enters crowded GOP presidential race days after Trump’s indictment
MIAMI (AP) — Miami Mayor Francis Suarez filed paperwork Wednesday to launch his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, jumping into the crowded race just a day after GOP front-runner Donald Trump appeared in court on federal charges in Suarez’s city.
The 45-year-old mayor, the only Hispanic candidate in the race, declared his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission. He had teased an announcement, noting that he would be making a “big speech” Thursday at the Reagan Library in California.
Before Trump arrived at the courthouse Tuesday, Suarez toured the media encampment wearing a T-shirt with a police logo, as his city’s police force had jurisdiction over the downtown area.
“If I do decide to run,” he told CNN, “it’s starting a new chapter, a new conversation of a new kind of leader who maybe looks a little different, speaks a little different, had a little bit of a different experience, but can inspire people.”
Suarez, the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, is the son of Miami’s first Cuban-born mayor. He has gained national attention in recent years for his efforts to lure companies to Miami, with an eye toward turning the city into a crypto hub and the next Silicon Valley.
Suarez, who is vying to become the first sitting mayor elected president, joins a GOP primary fight that includes Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Despite having a candidate field in the double digits, the race is largely seen as a two-person contest between Trump and DeSantis.
But the other competitors are hoping for an opening, which Trump has provided with his myriad legal vulnerabilities — none more serious than his federal indictment on charges of mishandling sensitive documents and refusing to give them back. He pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Miami federal court to 37 felony counts.
Suarez has said he didn’t support Trump in either the 2016 or 2020 presidential elections, instead writing in the names of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and then-Vice President Pence. In 2018, Suarez publicly condemned Trump after reports came out that he had questioned why the United States would accept more immigrants from Haiti and “shithole countries” in Africa.
But times have changed, with Trump advisers now praising Suarez’s work and helping him promote what he calls “the Miami success story.” Trump’s former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway has even floated Suarez’s name as a possible vice presidential pick.
Suarez, who is married with two young children, is a corporate and real estate attorney who previously served as a city of Miami commissioner. He has also positioned himself as someone who can help the party further connect with Hispanics. In recent months, he has made visits to early GOP voting states as he weighed a possible 2024 campaign.
He is more moderate than DeSantis and Trump, but has threaded the needle carefully on cultural issues that have become popular among GOP politicians.
Suarez has been critical of DeSantis, dismissing some of the state laws he has signed on immigration as “headline grabbers” lacking in substance. He has said immigration is an issue that “screams for a national solution” at a time when many Republicans back hard-line policies.
The two-term mayor previously expressed support for a Florida law championed by DeSantis and dubbed “Don’t Say Gay” that bans classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, but he has not specified whether he supported the expansion of the policy to all grades. Like other Republicans, Suarez has criticized DeSantis’ feud with Disney over the same law, saying it looks like a “personal vendetta.”
Further ingratiating himself with the Trump team, Suarez has echoed Trump’s attacks on DeSantis’ demeanor, saying the governor doesn’t make eye contact and struggles with personal relationships with other politicians.
In 2020, the mayor made a play to attract tech companies to Florida after the state relaxed its COVID-19 restrictions. He met with Big Tech players and investors such as PayPal founder Peter Thiel and tech magnate Marcelo Claure, began appearing on national television and was profiled by magazines.
Suarez, who has said he takes his salary in Bitcoin, has also hosted Bitcoin conferences and started heavily promoting a cryptocurrency project named Miami Coin, created by a group called City Coins.
But the hype dissipated as virus restrictions eased elsewhere, eliminating Miami’s advantage on the COVID-19 front. Suarez’s vision also hit roadblocks with the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX, which was set to move its U.S. headquarters to Miami’s financial district before its founder and CEO Sam Bankman-Fried was arrested in the Bahamas last December.
The only cryptocurrency exchange that traded Miami Coin suspended its trading, citing liquidity problems, not living up to its promise to generate enough money to eliminate city taxes.
Miami also ranks among the worst big U.S. cities for income inequality and has one of the least affordable housing markets.
Florida
Former State Representative Daisy Morales officially qualifies for Florida House District 43 race
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Former Florida State Representative Daisy Morales has officially qualified to run for Florida House District 43, launching a People First Campaign focused on affordability, public safety, economic opportunity, education, and responsive government.
Morales, who represented Florida House District 48 from 2020 to 2022, enters the race with a legislative record that continues to benefit Floridians. During her first term, she sponsored and supported legislation that became state law, helping veterans, seniors, individuals with disabilities, consumers, small businesses, and working families.
“Floridians are struggling with rising costs, housing affordability challenges, skyrocketing insurance premiums, and economic uncertainty,” Morales said. “I am running because the people deserve a representative who puts their needs ahead of politics and delivers real results.”
House District 43 includes portions of East Orlando and communities previously represented by Morales before Florida’s 2022 redistricting process.
A Record of Results
As a freshman lawmaker, Morales sponsored legislation that was enacted into Florida law, including:
• HB 13 (2022) — Expanded property tax relief for qualifying widows, widowers, blind persons, and permanently disabled Floridians.
• HB 45 (2022) — Helped close gaps in federal G.I. Bill educational benefits for veterans and military families.
• HB 213 (2022) — Created Florida’s first Down Syndrome specialty license plate.
• HB 855 (2021) — Expanded workforce opportunities through barber services reform.
• HB 857 (2021) — Strengthened consumer protections against harassing telemarketing calls.
Morales also sponsored House Resolution 8069, recognizing April 2 as Puerto Rican Heritage Day in Florida.
Leadership During Crisis
During her term, Morales became known for advocating for residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, calling for additional government response, addressing affordability concerns, organizing food distributions and job fairs, and helping families access critical resources and services.
“Leadership matters most during difficult times,” Morales said. “Public service is about helping people when they need it most.”
Proven Electoral Success
In 2020, Morales won both the Democratic primary and general election for Florida House District 48. She successfully campaigned on a message of community-focused leadership and practical solutions for residents.
“The people deserve a strong voice in Tallahassee,” Morales said. “This campaign is about putting people first and delivering results that improve everyday life.”
People First Agenda
If elected, Morales said her priorities will include:
• Affordability and cost-of-living relief
• Public safety initiatives
• Workforce and economic development
• Veterans and military family support
• Senior services
• Consumer protection
• Educational opportunities
Morales also announced plans to reintroduce legislation establishing a statewide Active Shooter Alert System and pursue additional affordability-focused measures aimed at helping Florida families.
“For more than 30 years, my mission has remained the same: put people first,” Morales said. “Together, we can build a stronger future for East Orlando, Lake Nona, and communities across Florida.”
Daisy Morales and Samuel Vilchez Santiago are currently the only Democrats who have filed to run for Florida House District 43. On the Republican side, Robert Prater has entered the race, along with write-in candidate Areeb Gulzar.
The seat is being vacated by incumbent State Rep. Johanna López, who is running for the Orange County Commission.
Candidate qualifying runs from June 8 through June 12, meaning additional candidates may still enter the race before the filing deadline.
Florida’s primary election is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2026, with the general election set for Nov. 3, 2026.
Florida
Venezuelan Political Refugee Samuel Vilchez Santiago Endorsed by US. Rep. Darren Soto and the Democratic Establishment
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds continued his campaign for governor by engaging Latino voters during a stop on his “Defending the Florida Dream” tour in Kissimmee, where he shared his vision for Florida’s future and discussed key issues impacting Hispanic communities.
Nación De Fe, Kissimmee, Florida. Photo by Hidekel Griffin / Florida National News
Florida National News was on hand to capture the event as Donalds met with supporters and community leaders while emphasizing economic opportunity, education, public safety, and preserving what he described as the “Florida Dream.”
Nación De Fe, Kissimmee, Florida. Photo by Hidekel Griffin / Florida National News
Latinos for Byron Coalition Launch
The Kissimmee event follows Donalds’ May 2026 launch of the Latinos for Byron Coalition, a statewide effort designed to strengthen support among Hispanic voters ahead of Florida’s Republican gubernatorial primary.
The Trump-endorsed congressman announced the coalition during a rally at Hialeah Park in Miami-Dade County, drawing approximately 300 supporters. Many attendees waved American and Cuban flags as Donalds outlined his vision for Florida and highlighted the growing influence of Latino voters in state politics.
Nación De Fe, Kissimmee, Florida. Photo by Hidekel Griffin / Florida National News
Republican Leaders Show Support
Joining Donalds at the Hialeah event were several Republican elected officials, including Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo, the city’s youngest mayor and a lifelong resident. State leaders in attendance included Sen. Bryan Avila and Reps. Juan Porras, David Borrero, and Alex Rizo.
Donalds said Hispanic communities play a vital role in Florida’s economy, culture, and future, and he pledged to continue policies focused on economic growth, educational excellence, and public safety.
Building a Statewide Coalition
The Defending the Florida Dream tour is expected to continue across Florida as Donalds works to build a broad coalition of supporters ahead of the 2026 election cycle. His campaign has placed a particular emphasis on engaging Hispanic voters, who represent one of the fastest-growing and most influential voting blocs in the state.
As the gubernatorial race develops, Latino outreach efforts are expected to play a significant role in shaping the Republican primary and the general election.
Florida National News will continue to follow the Defending the Florida Dream tour and provide updates from campaign stops across the state.
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