The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) is endorsing Democrat Mike Suarez in the 2026 Primary for House District 64.
“Mike brings decades of leadership experience, deep community roots, and a strong understanding of the issues impacting Florida’s job creators and working families,” AIF President and CEO Brewster Bevis said.
“Through his service on the Tampa City Council, numerous community boards and his professional career as an insurance agent, Mike has consistently demonstrated a commitment to economic growth, smart infrastructure investment, and policies that help communities thrive.”
Suarez, a third-generation Tampa native, served eight years on the Tampa City Council from 2011 to 2019, including terms chairing the Council and the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority. He has spent more than 30 years in the insurance industry and currently leads Suarez Insurance, Inc. He has also served on boards for ZooTampa, the Florida Aquarium, the Tampa Museum of Art, and Feeding Tampa Bay.
“I’m honored to earn the endorsement of the Associated Industries of Florida and grateful for their support of our campaign,” Suarez said.
“Throughout my career in both public service and the private sector, I’ve worked to bring people together to solve problems and strengthen our communities. I look forward to working alongside AIF to advance policies that support Florida families, small businesses, and our growing economy.”
Known as “The Voice of Florida Business,” AIF has represented free-enterprise principles before all three branches of state government since 1920. The voluntary association of diversified businesses works to foster an economic climate conducive to the growth of industry, business, and the people of the state.
Suarez faces fellow Democrats Luis Salazar and José “Dante” Sánchez-Sánchez in the Primary for the open seat, which is being vacated by term-limited Republican Rep. Susan Valdés. Suarez has led the field in fundraising and locked down a long list of Tampa Bay endorsements, including Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen, former state CFO Alex Sink, and former Sen. Arthenia Joyner.
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Ed. note: This story was drafted with assistance from AI. Editorial judgment, sourcing, and final review were performed by Peter Schorsch and the Florida Politics editorial team.
