Miami Mayor Francis Suarez just dropped a bombshell that has the Florida political establishment buzzing.
The popular Republican Mayor is considering a run for Governor in 2026.
And Miami’s RINO Mayor blindsided Ron DeSantis with this jaw-dropping decision about Florida’s future.
Miami Mayor won’t rule out challenging Trump’s endorsed candidate
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez isn’t ready to bow out of Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial race despite Donald Trump’s endorsement of another candidate.
During an Axios/The Race event ahead of Miami’s Formula 1 Grand Prix, Suarez admitted he’s still eyeing the governor’s mansion.
“I’m not saying I’m completely not considering it. I certainly have considered it,” Suarez revealed on Thursday when asked about his potential candidacy.
The Miami mayor acknowledged that President Trump’s endorsement of Representative Byron Donalds likely “makes it hard” for other Republican candidates to compete, but he didn’t close the door on his ambitions.
“There may be other ways to serve,” Suarez added, leaving his options open.
DeSantis and Trump’s pick already trading blows
The race to replace term-limited Governor Ron DeSantis is already heating up, with tension between DeSantis and Trump-backed Byron Donalds bubbling to the surface.
DeSantis has been notably cool toward Donalds, suggesting the congressman wasn’t part of Florida’s conservative accomplishments during his administration.
This public discord could set the stage for a bruising Republican primary that reopens wounds from the 2024 presidential race, when Donalds endorsed Trump over DeSantis.
Miami’s success story fuels Suarez’s ambitions
Suarez, who briefly ran for President in 2024 before endorsing Trump, used his appearance to highlight his record as Miami’s mayor.
He touted his achievements on taxes, crime reduction, and creating a business-friendly environment that has transformed Miami into a booming economic hub.
Bringing Formula 1 racing to Miami was also among his proudest accomplishments, Suarez noted during the event.
The Trump factor looms large
Trump’s endorsement in the Sunshine State carries significant weight, with many political observers questioning whether his backing of Donalds effectively ends the primary before it begins.
Donalds was scheduled to attend a fundraiser with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday night, further cementing their alliance.
Adding another layer of intrigue to the race, speculation has mounted about Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis potentially entering the contest.
Both the Governor and his wife have been evasive when questioned about her political future.
When reporters asked Casey DeSantis about a possible run in March, she cryptically responded that “we’ll see.”
Suarez first floated the idea of running for Governor during the Republican National Convention last summer by telling NBC News that “one thing that would be interesting is looking at an ecosystem like the state of Florida, potentially running for Governor. It’s something that I would consider, for sure.”
The battle for Florida’s future is just beginning, and with multiple Republican contenders potentially entering the fray, the 2026 gubernatorial race could become one of the most competitive in the nation.
