‘Public safety before politics’: Tampa police, Hillsborough fire unions back Mike Suarez in HD 64

The Tampa Police Benevolent Association and the Hillsborough Fire Action Committee are endorsing Mike Suarez in his race for Tampa-based House District 64, noting his track record and commitment to supporting first responders.

Suarez, a Democrat and Tampa native, served on the Tampa City Council from 2011 until 2019.

“It is vital to know that elected officials are on the side of law and order and that they back police when we need them the most,” said Brandon Barclay, President of the Tampa PBA. “Mike Suarez is just the kind of person we can count on who puts public safety before politics.”

The Hillsborough Fire Action Committee offered a statement similarly praising Suarez’s track record supporting first responders, noting that his “dedication to public service and commitment to community” make Suarez “the right choice.”

Suarez said he was honored to earn the groups’ support.

“I have always stood with our first responders, and in the Florida House, I will continue fighting to make sure they have the resources, respect, and support they deserve. Public safety should never be political. It should always be about protecting people, strengthening communities, and standing up for those who stand up for us,” he said.

Suarez is running to flip HD 64. Republican state Rep. Susan Valdés is the incumbent, but is facing term limits. She was elected to the seat two years ago as a Democrat, but shortly after switched her party affiliation to Republican.

The district has a voter advantage for Democrats, who hold more than 37% of the electorate. Republican voters, meanwhile, account for nearly 29% of the district’s voters, according to L2 voter data.

Suarez doesn’t have a clear path to the Democratic nomination. Three other Democrats are running, including John Rodriguez, Luis Salazar and Jose Sanchez Sanchez.

Sanchez Sanchez filed for the race indicating his intent to qualify by petition. But with that deadline now passed, he did not obtain enough signatures. He could still qualify by fee. Rodriguez only just entered the race last month.

Salazar likely presents the greatest challenge to Suarez. Salazar has been securing support from local leaders. That includes Democratic state Sen. Brian Nathan, who recently upset Josie Tomkow in the Special Election for Senate District 14, making national headlines with a key Democratic flip.

Suarez’s latest endorsements follow another nod this week from the Associated Industries of Florida. Other prominent backers include Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen, former CFO Alex Sink, and former state Sen. Arthenia Joyner, among others.

Suarez is a third-generation Tampa native. During his tenure on the City Council, he also served eight years chairing the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority. He also served on boards for Zoo Tampa (then Lowry Park Zoo), the Florida Aquarium, the Tampa Museum of Art and Feeding Tampa Bay.

Additionally, he has worked as a mentor to young residents, offering internships in his office and helping select high school students obtain nominations to the U.S. Naval and Air Force Academies from former U.S. Sens. Bob Graham and Bill Nelson and U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor.

Since his service on the City Council, Suarez has run for a few seats unsuccessfully. He lost in 2023 for a bid to return to the City Council, and in 2019 ran for Mayor, collecting just 5% of the vote in an eight-way race.

As an open race, HD 64 will likely garner a lot of attention. Valdés shocked Democrats in December when she announced she was switching political parties, saying she was being ignored by the party. However, the move came less than a week after Valdés lost a bid to chair the Hillsborough County Democratic Party.

Two Republicans are filed in the race, Amaro Lionheart and Angel Ramos.