On November 5th, Miami-Dade voters will engage in a landmark election: for the first time in 60 years, the county will elect a sheriff, a position that was eliminated in 1966 following a corruption scandal. According to Telemundo 51, this reinstatement is due to Amendment 10, which was approved by Florida voters in 2018, allowing for the direct election of a sheriff in the area.
Candidates for Change
The electoral race is between two contenders: James Reyes, a Cuban Democrat, and Rosie Cordero-Stutz, a Republican, each bringing distinct backgrounds and approaches to the table. Currently, Reyes serves as the chief of public safety for the Miami-Dade Police and has spent 22 of his 25 years in law enforcement with the Broward County Sheriff's Office. Critics, however, point out that he has never served as a police officer and, if elected, he would oversee more than 3,200 officers in the region.
Profiles of the Candidates
At 46 years old, Reyes was born in Cuba and is the son of a political prisoner. His family immigrated to the United States in the late '70s. He holds a degree in Criminology and a master's in Criminal Justice. On the other hand, Cordero-Stutz has been part of the Miami-Dade Police Department for 28 years, starting as a patrol officer, working in robbery and homicide units, and climbing the ranks to become assistant director.
A New Era of Accountability
The reintroduction of the sheriff role not only signifies a major shift in local law enforcement structure but also heralds a new era of accountability and transparency within the police force. As election day nears, the focus remains on how voters will decide on the leadership and direction of security in Miami-Dade, a crucial issue for the community's safety and well-being.
This election will not only shape the present but will also lay the groundwork for the county's governance in the coming years. Furthermore, it coincides with the presidential election between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, a contest that remains incredibly close.