There are 17, count ’em, 17 candidates for the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s election — so far. But only one of them scored what is likely the mother of all endorsements.
Congressman Carlos Gimenez — the former county mayor who served as the de facto sheriff in that role — has come out for Miami-Dade Police Assistant Director Rosanna Cordero-Stutz, the highest ranking county officer in the race and the woman in charge of the transition to the first Miami-Dade sheriff’s office in 57 years.
“I know first hand the professionalism and dedication of the Miami-Dade Police Department and its brave men and women,” Gimenez says in a 1:11 video on the candidate’s YouTube channel. “Transition to an elected sheriff requires someone who knows the Miami-Dade Police Department inside and out.
“Rosie Cordero-Stutz has a track record of upholding the highest ethical standards and can lead with a vision for a safer Miami-Dade County on Day One.”
Read related: Miami-Dade Sheriff’s race expands with Dem Broward candidate James Reyes
Of course, the rumors began to fly immediately that Cordero Stutz only got the nod because CJ Gimenez, the congressman’s son, is running her campaign. Well, goes to show what those people know! It’s actually his daughter-in-law who is running the team and it’s no secret.
Tania Cruz Gimenez, an attorney who ran for Coral Gables Commission in 2021, has been seen with the candidate at forums and town halls. Cruz was there in the third row at the Hispanic Police Officers Association town hall last month and she worked the room at the Cuban American Bar Association thing.
But if anyone thinks that Gimenez is going to risk his shiny, national brand and political stock for his nuera, they’re nuts. He could have happily just stayed out of it altogether. After all, former MDPD Director Freddy Ramirez is already out — having had that incident in the car with the gun — and Juan Perez, the other director under Gimenez, is apparently not interested.
He didn’t stay out of it because this is an important race, and Gimenez — who has always loved being the protagonist and wants to stay relevant — has worked with Cordero-Stutz. He knows her. He’s watched her rise through the ranks.
And, like he told Telemundo 51’s Marilys Llanos in a short interview Monday, he knows some of the other candidates, too. Which might be just as important, right? We can always just eliminate 10 or 12, right off the bat (more on that later). Is there anybody left that rises to Rosie’s level of experience, professionally and educationally? The woman is FBI trained.
“She’s the most prepared,” Gimenez told Llanos. After all, he should know.
This is not only a doozy, it’s the first endorsement of the race — at least the first one that matters. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava is expected to endorse her boy James Reyes, who she named the director of public safety less than four months ago, but hasn’t yet. He’s the Democratic front runner and represented by the same consultant, so her backing is understood.
Still, the Gimenez endorsement is important because many political observers expect a Republican candidate to win. That’s probably why they outnumber the Dem candidates in this race, 4 to 1.
Expect other Republican electeds to follow Gimenez in endorsing Cordero-Stutz.
And if Donald Trump decides to jump in, it’s game over. The other wannabes should just bow out.
Carlos Gimenez endorses Miami-Dade sheriff candidate Rosie Cordero-Stutz added by Ladra on
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Oh please do spill the tea on Joe Sanchez…I mean if you know. What is his baggage? If he was bad, I am sure he would have been arrested a long time ago. He was never indicted nor under investigation during his tenure as City of Miami Commissioner and even after that he has served as a State Trooper with dignity. What did he do? Since you know… Joe Sanchez will make an excellent Sheriff. He has all the tools and knows how to use them. He has legislative experience on both sides of the arena. He knows the job of a police officer, has held multiple supervisory positions, he can manage a budget and I can go on and on. Again, Please elaborate on why Joe Sanchez would be a puppet? From what I gather he has the grit to do the job better than his peers on the ballot. He has my vote and unwavering support. To my knowledge, he is running a clean and fair campaign. I have yet to see him say anything disparaging about his opponents.
Funny how the very guy Gimenez) who eliminated the corruption unit to avoid being investigated himself is endorsing Rosie. and, if that’s not glaring enough his son (arrested for slapping Alex Diaz de la Portilla) and his daughter in law who was arrested with Diaz de la Portilla in a hotel room are running Rosie’s campaign. It bodes poorly on her decision making as far as most are concerned. she will protect corruption.
As for Sanchez, he has baggage beyond baggage. That’s probably why special interests are backing him – he will be there puppet. he too will be weak on corruption. He also has negatives from when he was a city of Miami commissioner. Has anyone ever seen someone honest come from from the city of Miami? From his affairs, poor decisions as commissioner to other baggage that will come out, he is the last one that should hold that position. And, lets be honest folks, being a trooper with no supervisory experience is not the ideal sheriff candidate. He was a traffic cop and nothing more.
The sheriff should be someone with a backbone who is committed to combat public corruption. Someone who is radical enough to go against the whims of special interests who just want to siphon more government money.
Reyes is just as bad as Sanchez, as he has never ever been a law enforcement officer-never ever. the Mayor doesn’t want to lose control. That’s why she made Freddy switch parties before het shot himself. She tried unsuccessfully to circumvent the law but was sued and had to back down. And, now as a last ditch effort, puts up a correctional officer (from Broward County no less)who has minus zero experience as a cop in attempts to keep control. Bad choice!
Everyone should get informed. Rosie, Sanchez, and Reyes should be your absolute last choices or things will not change.
The question that our residents need to ask is how much money is Gimenez receiving for endorsing Cordero-Stutz? Although legal, but unethical, Gimenez should be asked Name your price?!
Mr. Suarez, I agree with you that it will be Joe Sanchez vs. James Reyes. Now, what the residents need to know is that James Reyes is not a resident of Miami-Dade County nor is he registered to vote in Miami-Dade County. Why should our citizens vote for someone that does not meet these qualifications? Of course, DLC will endorse Reyes, she has been grooming him since he had a short stint in corrections.
Joe Sanchez has the experience of a cop and a Public Administrator. He will be an asset to the residents of Miami-Dade County.
Joe Sanchez will be the republican nominee. The race will be Joe against Calvas boy. This girl is lost in the woods.
I wonder if she agreed to punish the Corruption Cops who busted him in the 2012 election like he did.