MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – The first election for a sheriff in Miami-Dade County in more than six decades came down to two candidates.
Voters were asked to choose between candidates Rosie Cordero-Stutz, the assistant director of investigative services at the Miami-Dade Police Department and a Republican, and James Reyes, a Democrat who serves as the county’s public safety director.
On Election Day, voters decidedly chose Cordero-Stutz. Reyes conceded the race through an election spokesperson just after 8 p.m.
Watch Cordero-Stutz’s victory speech:
“My life’s work has been about public service and putting the community first, which is why I decided to run for Sheriff. Though tonight’s results are not what we worked so hard for or what we hoped, I am so grateful to my family, our dedicated campaign team, and our incredible volunteers who have done so much to fight for our shared vision of public safety and public trust.
“After months on the campaign trail, I am looking forward to some much-needed time with my wife and kids, and to continuing my work as Miami-Dade’s Chief of Public Safety, helping to ensure our community has a smooth transition to the elected Sheriff next year. Finally, I want to send my sincere congratulations to our Sheriff-Elect, wishing her the best of luck in this crucial role. I look forward to working with her in pursuit of our shared commitment to keeping Miami-Dade County safe.”
Statement from James Reyes
Cordero-Stutz began her career at MDPD as a police officer nearly 30 years ago, working her way up from a patrol officer to her current rank and working on everything from robbery cases to homicides.
She told Local 10 News last month that she feels her experience made her a superior candidate for the job.
“It’s not just about being able to read a book and understanding the ABC’s of policing,” she said. “It’s about having 28 years of being exposed to our community’s needs and how we respond to them and carrying that over into the office of the sheriff.”
Cordero-Stutz received endorsements from the Fraternal Order of Police, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump, as well as from 27 current Florida sheriffs.
Reyes was hired to run Miami-Dade County Corrections following more than 20 years at the Broward Sheriff’s Office, where he led the department of administration and, before that, the department of detention.
He was appointed to his current position of public safety director by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and received the endorsement of Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony, the Police Benevolent Association and former Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez.
“I am the only candidate with executive leadership experience in a sheriff’s office, so that makes me ready on day one to transition to an office of a sheriff,” Reyes told Local 10 News last month.
Reyes said if elected, his priorities would include improving communication between agencies, investing in crime-fighting technology, building public trust and increasing transparency.
VIEW ALL RESULTS: South Florida General Election Results for Nov. 5, 2024
Votes
%
Rosanna "Rosie" Cordero-Stutz(R)
James Reyes(D)
(757 / 757)