In a city that thrives on political replays, Miami's electoral scene is set for a nostalgic twist. Xavier Suarez, once hailing as the first Cuban mayor of Miami, announced his intentions to reclaim the reins of the city's leadership. The move comes in the wake of a judge's ruling against the city's Commissioners who sought to postpone municipal elections. This decision, as reported by NBC Miami, spotlighted the unlawfulness of deferring the upcoming November 2025 election to the following year without proper voter consent.
Intent to quickly file his candidacy paperwork, Suarez declared his comeback officially yesterday. His return to politics is not merely a question of when, but now a resonant affirmation, as he stated to The Miami Herald, "I'm energized." Known for his stint as the city patriarch from 1985 to 1989, Suarez hints at a potential election face-off reprising the drama-laden 1997 mayoral race against Joe Carollo, who is presently teasing another mayoral bid.
The controversial 1997 election, marred by ballot fraud, ultimately saw Joe Carollo become mayor—a moment that still resonates in Miami politics. Now, Francis Suarez, the current mayor and son of former mayor Xavier Suarez, is nearing the end of his term due to term limits. If Xavier Suarez wins the upcoming election and serves a full term, the Suarez family could extend its influence over Miami's leadership to 12 consecutive years.
Xavier Suarez's vision for Miami taps into the essence of "serious reform." In a statement obtained by The Miami Herald, he conveyed his backing for initiatives to possibly shift city elections to even-numbered years and to increase the City Commission from five to nine members. Furthermore, Suarez is set to "actively oppose" Commissioner Damian Pardo's proposal for lifetime term limits for elected officials, a measure poised for the voters' judgment this November.
