Francis Xavier Suarez was born on October 6, 1977, in Miami. He is the oldest of four children and the son of Rita and Miami mayor Xavier Suarez. Immaculata-LaSalle High School graduated him in 1996.
His bachelor’s degree in finance from Florida International University placed him in the top 10%. He earned a cum laude J.D. from the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law. The lawyer entered politics in 2009 as District 4 City of Miami Commissioner. He was reelected uncontested in 2011 and 2015 after winning the runoff.
He became Mayor of Miami in 2017 and has prioritized sea level rise, affordable housing, and quality of life. The businessman promoted Miami as a Bitcoin hotspot with his cryptocurrency-friendly strategy.
He supports blockchain technology and aims to establish MiamiCoin, a city-specific blockchain coin. Fortune magazine named him one of the “World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” in 2021. In addition to being mayor, Xavier is vice-chair of the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization and has worked to develop mass transportation in the county.
He has served in several organizations, including the US Conference of Mayors. Francis has voted across parties in local and national politics, drawing praise and condemnation. He filed to run for president in 2024 with the Federal Election Commission in June 2023.
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