Mike Suarez secures new support as Democrats look to reclaim HD 64

Democrat Mike Suarez is widening his support in the race for Florida House District 64 as more prominent Tampa Bay leaders line up behind his campaign.

The Suarez campaign announced new endorsements Wednesday from state Rep. Dianne Hart, former state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, former Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren and former state Rep. Adam Hattersley.

The seat is expected to draw attention this cycle as incumbent Rep. Susan Valdés is term-limited, creating a competitive open race in a district that leans Democratic.

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.

While they have not yet,Republicans will no doubt put up their own candidate to replace her and hold onto the newly gained seat, while Democrats will be hungry to reclaim it. One other Democrat is running, Luis Salazar.

The latest endorsements add to a slate of local leaders already backing Suarez for the open HD 64 seat in the 2026 election cycle. Those endorsements include Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen and Tampa City Council members Alan Clendenin, Guido Maniscalco, Lynn Hurtak and Luis Viera, along with former County Commissioner Mariella Smith and former state Sen. Arthenia Joyner.

Suarez, a third-generation Tampa native, served eight years on the Tampa City Council and chaired both the Council and the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, the region’s transit agency. He served on the council from 2011 to 2019 and has previously run for Mayor in 2019 and for a return to the Council in 2023.

He has served in the insurance industry for over 30 years, and currently leads Suarez Insurance, Inc.. He has also served on numerous civic and cultural boards, including the Tampa Museum of Art, Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa and Feeding Tampa Bay. Suarez has also mentored young residents, including helping high school students secure nominations to the U.S. Naval and Air Force Academies.

“I’m honored to have the support of these dedicated public servants who have each worked tirelessly to make Florida a better place to live and raise a family,” Suarez said in a statement. “This campaign is about bringing people together to deliver real results whether it’s lowering prices, strengthening the economy, or improving education and job growth. I’m grateful for their trust and partnership as we work to restore leadership and accountability in Tallahassee.”

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Florida Politics reporter Janelle Irwin Taylor contributed reporting to this story.