Ken Russell

Xavier Suarez became the city's first Cuban-born mayor in 1985.

Miami's first Cuban-born mayor.

The first Cuban-born mayor.

The first Cuban-American mayor.

The city's first Cuban-born mayor.

The first Cuban-born mayor of Miami.

The first Cuban-born mayor of Miami.

Now, 40 years later, he's running again.

Well, first of all, thanks for having me here. You're welcome. I can't imagine there's a lot of politicians that come rolling through, and I don't know why. But when I heard that you wanted me on to endorse my mayoral campaign live on the show, I couldn't resist, and so I'm here, and I really appreciate that. So thank you for this time.

Well, first of all, thanks for having me here. You're welcome. I can't imagine there's a lot of politicians that come rolling through, and I don't know why. But when I heard that you wanted me on to endorse my mayoral campaign live on the show, I couldn't resist, and so I'm here, and I really appreciate that. So thank you for this time.

To be honest, he thought this would also be the last day of his campaign, potentially.

To be honest, he thought this would also be the last day of his campaign, potentially.

the possibility of public or elected life? It's not the reason, but it's definitely one of the straws that's breaking the back of me deciding to come back to the city of Miami, because I was very happy having left and enjoying private life. But I would say our relationship was super solid up until that vote. And we had a drink right around then in 2018.

the possibility of public or elected life? It's not the reason, but it's definitely one of the straws that's breaking the back of me deciding to come back to the city of Miami, because I was very happy having left and enjoying private life. But I would say our relationship was super solid up until that vote. And we had a drink right around then in 2018.

And you said over that drink that if I voted for that, our relationship would be over, basically. Because you were very passionate about this. Sounds like something I'd say. I don't think you were trying to leverage me for the sake of, please let me keep this friendship. No, I didn't think you gave a shit about that. But you did keep to your word. I'm a man of my word. So, in my...

And you said over that drink that if I voted for that, our relationship would be over, basically. Because you were very passionate about this. Sounds like something I'd say. I don't think you were trying to leverage me for the sake of, please let me keep this friendship. No, I didn't think you gave a shit about that. But you did keep to your word. I'm a man of my word. So, in my...

first term in office, let's say I had some naivete that wanted to believe that we could make a good deal out of a bad deal, and that if the right contractual terms were put in place and the right public benefits were there, this could be a good deal.

first term in office, let's say I had some naivete that wanted to believe that we could make a good deal out of a bad deal, and that if the right contractual terms were put in place and the right public benefits were there, this could be a good deal.

And I was torn, because a lot of the folks that supported me, a lot of the activist crowd, a lot of the green space environmental crowd, they weren't crazy about this. And so I struggled a lot leading up to 2018, but I thought I'd solved it. And the reason I'm here with you today is to really

And I was torn, because a lot of the folks that supported me, a lot of the activist crowd, a lot of the green space environmental crowd, they weren't crazy about this. And so I struggled a lot leading up to 2018, but I thought I'd solved it. And the reason I'm here with you today is to really