Florida Democratic Party calls for resignation of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez
MIAMI - The Florida Democratic Party has called for the resignation of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.
This CBS Miami News partner The Miami Herald reported that Suarez had pushed for a no-bid contract that could have personal benefits for him.
According to party Chair Nikki Fried, Suarez has repeatedly used his public office for private gain and has somehow escaped consequences to this point.
"As a native of Miami, it's heartbreaking to see the city continue to be a hotbed for political corruption," said Fried in a statement. "I wanted to have hope in Francis Suarez and his ability to rise above the mess of Miami politics for the sake of the city. Unfortunately, he's turned out like so many other Miami Republicans - only in it for himself, with no regard for the well-being of the people of Miami.
Last year, Suarez came under a state ethics investigation after a complaint was filed that he accepted pricey tickets to splashy events - like the Miami Formula One Grand Prix and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The complaint to the Florida Ethics Commission was filed by activist Thomas Kennedy. In it, he raised questions about who paid for the tickets, worth thousands of dollars, and whether Suarez followed state law which requires the mayor to disclose the source of all gifts valued at more than $100.
State law bars elected officials from accepting such gifts from city vendors, lobbyists, or their employers.
Fried said the mayor's actions are a gross violation of the public trust and he should resign immediately. She said if he doesn't, Gov. Ron DeSantis needs to do the job for him and suspend him from office. But, she added, that likely won't happen.
"I have no doubt that if Mayor Suarez was a Democrat, he would have been removed from office several scandals ago - because Ron cares more about party politics than good governance," she said.
Fried added that politicians need to be held accountable for their "mistakes," no matter their political affiliation.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Office of the Mayor responded with the following statement:
"Today, the Florida Ethics Commission formally dismissed yet another frivolous complaint filed against Miami Mayor Francis Suarez citing "lack of legal sufficiency"; concluding once again that the Mayor continues to act properly, following all laws and regulations. The Commission's action exposes the coordinated coup attempt that radical liberal activists, political mercenaries, and their allies in the local leftist media have perpetrated in the City of Miami. For over a year, the Mayor has been the target of a vicious, dishonest smear campaign led by a small group of special interests hellbent on destroying our thriving city's reputation and its prominent position on the world stage. Mayor Suarez will continue to serve the greater interests of the City of Miami and its residents, despite false and negative attacks as he works to continue making Miami America's greatest city."