MIAMI – Miami voters are turning to a seasoned city official to serve as their new mayor.
Francis Suarez won in a landslide Tuesday night to succeed outgoing Mayor Tomas Regalado, who has been in office since 2009.
A city commissioner since 2009, Suarez is the son of former Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez.
"I was born and raised here in Miami, grew up here, went to school here," Suarez told Local 10 News senior political reporter Michael Putney. "I love this city."
Suarez won handily against challengers Williams Armbrister, Christian Canache and Cynthia Jaquith.
"It's important that I reflect the priority of our residents," Suarez said.
Among the issues Suarez said he intends to focus on are affordable housing, the poverty pandemic and fixing the constant traffic gridlock. He said he's also prepared to fight climate change and sea-level rise in the city.
"Miami should be and must be the most resilient city in the world," Suarez said.