Miami mayor on possible White House bid: I think people are

Miami Mayor Francis SuarezFrancis SuarezPro-Cuban protesters block Miami expressway Crews mourn for ‘our family’ after finding body of Miami firefighter’s daughter in condo rubble Sunday shows preview: Moderates, Biden reach deal on infrastructure; Chauvin sentenced to 22.5 years in prison MORE (R) isn’t ruling out a potential presidential bid, saying that he believes Americans are “thirsting” for a new generation of leadership in the White House.

Asked in an interview on “The Carlos Watson Show” set to air on Wednesday whether he would run for president, Suarez said that the prospects of a White House bid have become “more possible” since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the stature that big-city mayors have gained with the advent of social media and the 24-hour news cycle. 

“I’ll say this, the mayoral position – because of COVID, because of the 24-hour news cycle, because of social media – it’s been elevated,” Suarez told Watson, the co-founder and CEO of the media company OZY. 

“People know national mayors a lot more than they did, you know, a generation ago, and so I think it becomes more possible,” he added.

Suarez, 42, also said that there’s an appetite among Americans for a new generation of leadership in Washington. President BidenJoe BidenSpotlight turns to GOP’s McCarthy in Jan. 6 probe Biden visits union hall to mark Labor Day Biden approves disaster funds for NJ, NY after Ida flooding MORE, 78, became the oldest person to be sworn into the White House in January, while his predecessor, former President TrumpDonald TrumpSpotlight turns to GOP’s McCarthy in Jan. 6 probe Fewer than 50 percent of West Virginians think 2020 election was legitimate: poll The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Questions on Biden agenda; unemployment benefits to end MORE, was 70 when he took office, making him the second oldest. 

“I’ll be honest with you, I actually think the American people would want to see someone that’s a next-generation candidate, whether it’s me or someone else,” Suarez told Watson. “I really do think that people are thirsting for that.”

Suarez, the son of former Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez, has attracted national attention over the past year, stoking speculation about his future political ambitions. He met with former United Nations Ambassador Nikki HaleyNikki HaleyBill Clinton fundraises for Terry McAuliffe in upstate New York Trump on Nikki Haley: ‘Every time she criticizes me, she uncriticizes me about 15 minutes later’ As Biden falters, a two-man race for the 2024 GOP nomination begins to take shape MORE in April – a sit down that was reportedly intended to vet Suarez’s interest as a potential running mate in 2024.

The Miami mayor has also been critical at times of other Republican heavyweights, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantisRon DeSantisThe Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Questions on Biden agenda; unemployment benefits to end Democratic donors…