Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez endorsed former President Donald Trump on Friday.
A Republican of Cuban descent, Suarez cited the crises at the southern border as one of the reasons he is supporting the twice-impeached Trump, who presently faces 91 criminal counts in four cases.
Both Trump and President Biden visited the border on Thursday. Biden chided Republicans for scuttling a bipartisan immigration bill – on Trump’s request.
Suarez said in a statement on social media that Trump is “the only candidate that will keep our country safe, our border secured, reduce inflation and can coherently lead our country forward.”
Suarez said he plans to help Trump win a larger share of Hispanic and young voters.
The Miami mayor last week did not shy away from his wish to be Trump’s running mate, telling WPLG that it would be “ tremendous honor.”
“So whoever gets selected to be vice president and ultimately elected in the November would be a potential front runner for the presidency in 2028,” he said.
Suarez ended his presidential campaign after failing to qualify at the first Republican primary debate last summer.
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JOHN PACENTI is the executive editor of the Key Biscayne Independent. John has worked for The Associated Press, the Palm Beach Post, Daily Business Review, and WPTV-TV.