Look out for special interests behind the candidates
After the runoffs in Miami and Miami Beach next week, the focus of political consultants, observers and watchdogs will be on the 2024 ballot. And in Miami-Dade, that means the historic vote to elect the first county sheriff since 1966.
It seems as if every other day there’s a new candidate. We have 11 Republicans and three Democrats so far for a total of 14. Or 15 if you count former Miami Commissioner and Florida State Trooper Joe Sanchez, who seems to be flirting with the idea. But only flirting.
There was a fundraiser Nov. 9 with Sanchez as a “special guest” for a new political action committee called Law and Order controlled by none other than Jesse Manzano, who helped put Carlos Gimenez in the Miami-Dade mayor’s seat and has helped a bunch get elected since. The email for the party at The Biltmore Hotel, forwarded to Ladra, came from Brian Goldmeier, professional fundraiser.
Why was Sanchez a “special guest” and not the candidate? Why is he so noncommittal? Probably because he wants to see how much can be raised before he becomes an official candidate.
Read related: Joe Sanchez could join clown car of Miami-Dade sheriff candidates for 2024
So, what we know is Manzano and Goldmeier want to run someone for sheriff. Doesn’t matter who. Sanchez is just their first choice. If he says no thanks, they will just find somebody else.
And they should find somebody else. Sanchez doesn’t have his heart in this. If he values law and order so much he should have run against Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo last year. That was his ticket.
But Manzano will find someone else to run. So will consultant Christian Ulvert, who was working with former Police Director Freddy Ramirez before Ramirez tried to kill himself in Tampa and then, later, withdrew from the race, because he had to.
After all, this is a tremendously golden opportunity for a position that is likely to be the third or second most powerful in the state. One word, people: Procurement. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s department will have a lot of spending to do. That’s why people like Manzano — who tried to get a transit project from the county after electing Gimenez — are going to be involved.
Read related: Freddy Ramirez suicide attempt leaves a real open race for Miami-Dade sheriff
And that is why there are so many candidates. And Political Cortadito will spend the next year separating the opportunists from the true public servants.
The latest to throw their hats in this growing ring are Miami-Dade Police Assistant Director Rosanna “Rosie” Cordero-Stutz (and her consultants must love that name) who filed Oct. 16, and Miami-Dade Police Maj. Jose L. Aragu, of the Midwest District Station, who filed two days later.
He worked at the Port of Miami a year ago. She is number two at the department right now and the only Republican woman in the race. Cordero-Stutz is also a 27-year veteran and the highest ranking of the nine Miami-Dade Police command officers who have filed paperwork with the elections department to run. The updated, entire list now (sans Sanchez, who is wishy washy):
- Miami-Dade Police Maj. John Barrow (D)
- Former federal agent Susan Khoury (D)
- MDPD Lt. Rickey Mitchell (Ret.) (D)
- Jaspen Bishop, a security guard from Homestead (R)
- Miami Police Officer; Retired Marion County Sheriff’s Office District Comm. Ruamen Delarua (R)
- MDPD Reserve Ofc. Alex Fornet (Ret.) (R)
- MDPD Maj. Mario Knapp (Ret.) (R)
- MDPD Sgt. Orlando Lopez (R)
- MDPD Ofc. Ernie Rodriguez (Ret.) (R)
- MDPD Ofc. Rolando Riera (R)
- Former MDPD Maj. Ignacio “Iggy” Alvarez (R)
- Former PBA President and retired MDPD Sgt. John Rivera (R)
- MDPD Assistant Director Rosanna “Rosie” Cordero-Stutz (R)
- MDPD Maj. Jose Aragu (R)
Cordero-Stutz is also chair of the department’s internal sheriff’s transition team, so she’s on top of all the moving parts that are going to go into this change. Friends say she was supporting Ramirez until he decided not to run.
Read related: Elected Miami-Dade sheriff, SOE could curb mayor’s abuse of power
Miami-Dade voters abolished the sheriff’s office in 1966 after a grand jury uncovered a burglary racket led by then-Sheriff T.A. Buchanan. After that, for the next 57 years, the Miami-Dade Police Department has operated under the leadership of a director appointed by the county mayor. But the mayor acts as the defacto sheriff. Which can be okay under some mayors but a problem under others — like the one who abolished the public corruption unit at MDPD.
If you appreciate independent government watchdog journalism, you can support Political Cortadito with a donation to help defray costs and keep Ladra digging. Thank you for your encouragement.
In 2018, voters statewide approved an amendment that would require all counties to elect constitutional officers — sheriff, supervisor of elections and tax collector. Miami-Dade was the only county of the 67 in Florida that doesn’t have a sheriff. But the measure failed here in Miami-Dade, getting only 58% of the vote when 60% was required, and the move has been criticized as Tallahassee trying to take more power from Miami-Dade.
Earlier this year, state legislators sealed that power by prohibiting the county from establishing its own police force for the unincorporated areas, a measure championed by Commissioner Raquel Regalado, who fears that municipalities with their own police department will have far more police patrol and protection than the unincorporated municipal service area.
More movement in looming, important, historic 2024 Miami-Dade Sheriff’s race added by Ladra on
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Joe Sanchez is a scammer- a genuine postalita as they say in spanish.
He was kicked off the security detail for the Lt Governor because he was focused on his phone more than her security and well being. People
Won’t forget how he tried to screw employees pensions and there’s so much more. He lost his bid for mayor. If he couldn’t muster the ability to win in his city, he has little chance to win in a big county.
Besides, let’s be honest here- he’s a trooper who never supervised anyone. He has much knowledge writing citations but zero experience investigating real crime. He’s a traffic cop but not a real cop.
I don’t know this Knapp guy -never heard of him before- but employees say he quit smack in the middle of dealing with the collapsed building in Surfside. He went to work in the private sector and was let go for non performance. If the employees know that, the world will know it too.
I want a real cop, not a wannabe. Stay writing tickets Joe and leave the county alone.
There is so much dirt about to be coming about Joe Sanchez. People have short memories but Knapp and Alvarez have joined forces to expose Sanchez and his ill gotten gains while a city of miami commissioner.
Besides, has this community had enough with the shenanigans of city of miami elected officials?
Anything that comes from the city through should be suspicious to us all
Joe Sanchez has surpassed Mario Knapp in followers. He has not even filed. Can you imagine when he does? That says a lot. Therefore, let the best man/woman win. Only time will tell. I can assure you, it will be Joe. Just wait until he launches his campaign. Best of luck to all candidates.
@RAG
Funny you mention that.. I support and follow Knapp and I have gotten a Follow request from Joe twice already.
Good luck to all candidates.
Another thing… Why is Mario Knapp trying to gather Joe Sanchez’s followers on social media?
First and foremost, Joe Sanchez is a gentleman. As you can see his post below. He has not addressed this message board taking digs at any of his tentative opponents. He always seeks the high road. He has an impressive platform that in due course he will release. This article has many points that are false. You may champion for his opponent and that is great. This is why we live in a society where we can choose our leaders. Joe will be an incredible Sheriff. He is a proven leader. If you have not seen it first hand, I would not be spreading falsehoods. As far as not carrying rank. He has more common sense than those in higher rank. All it proves you can pass a test or interview well. He is the whole package— he is smart and can work with those leaders that want to flex their influence in how to run a Sheriff’s office. He has not filed paperwork and smear campaigns are already in the mix. This proves he is the most viable candidate and he will win by a landslide.
Iggy for Sheriff. more experienced than the other candidates. Already has many major endorsements from Tallahasee to Washington
More importantly for Miami Dade, is why this county didn’t fight the State when De Santis decided that our HOME RULE county should be forced to succumb to a vote of ALL residents of the state that would change how we run OUR government? Miami Dade should ignore the State’s efforts. But…not a peep from our Mayor. So, my question is; Why did our electeds fold? Or do they ALSO want to rid this county of its Home Rule? Or is it already gone? That is my suspicion. So, then, I want our county government to be investigated and monitored by the SEC as is done with other municipalities. We might just find out how much $ is being “repurposed” to satisfy bond ratings etc. .
I wish that Joe Martinez would run, but that was taken care of early when the thought was Joe would give Ramirez a run for the money. He’s been dragged through the mud by the disingenuous efforts of that seedy S. Attorney, who usually only sticks her head up during an election.
Joe Sanchez had an affair while he was a City of Miami commissioner. Yup. Joe slept with the young daughter of one of the other 4 commissioners. So Miami. The other commissioner eventually resigned under threat of jail for another crime. Joe Sanchez has a 87 IQ.
Joe saying below he has law enforcement experience….
What experience as a law enforcement officer? Have you ever been a sergeant? Have you ever been a lieutenant? Have you even even supervised a troop? What experience?
“I would not judge where my heart is after one brief conversation. I will be filing in January for many good reasons. I am proud of my time and accomplishments as a City of Miami Commissioner, but I feel the Sheriff’s position is where I can serve our community best, due to my experience as a law-enforcement officer, and as a politician. I am looking forward to listening to our residents and earning their vote over the coming months.”
Mario Knapp is the best and most experienced candidate. He is the only one actually concerned about public safety. These others are bought and paid for.
Mario Knapp is the clear choice. Do your research before you blindly support anyone.
The only candidate that entered the race early on and was willing to challenge Freddy Ramirez was Mario Knapp
The rest did not have the nerve to go up against him and only jumped
In the ring once Ramirez bowed out
So where was the interest and their “love” for the county before that
Only
One candidate has the experience and the knowledge to bring this department out of the dark hole it has dug itself into …… Mario Knapp
nothing to do ith the sheriff election. Today I saw a sign that says reelect ADDP I thought criminals can run but what the heck they are trying to elect Trump even though he has 91 indictments
I think that having a former federal agent, Susan Khoury, as sheriff is a great idea. We can then get out of the ghetto and have some real law enforcement!
I am looking forward to police officers who actually chase down criminals when there is a burglary and not just the police officer handing the owner of the house a card and telling you to notify the insurance company.
Many ” WANT TO BE BUT MUST POLITICIANS ” We Don’t want or NEED a Politician , We Need Some one W/ Experience in Running A Sheriff Department ,SO The END Product will be To Put “ALL” This Corrupt Politicians , Lobbyist and Consultants in Jail and Make This Bad Attorneys get Disbar !
I can guarantee you Denise, there is no bias toward any of the Ds. I prefer many of the Rs. The order of the list was a cut and paste from some other page early on and I just started adding names as they filed paperwork. You will notice the order in the last five or six. The last one is because I thought she was the last to file. She was second to last so I fixed it. (Also added John’s rank). But I am going to change the list to alphabetical, which is fair and is also how they list it on the ballot. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Love, Ladra.
John Rivera is a wannabe ganster who prays at the alter of fictional heros of the mob like the Godfather and Goodfellas. His PBA office was littered with him paying homage not to law enforcement but law breakers. Based on from what I hear, there are many members of the PBA that can’t wait to undress Rivera and uncover for all to see what type of scum he truly is. How he thinks he is going to become the first Sheriff since 66 is a mystery to me. He was unceremoniously kicked out of his position by the PBA for his antics and lack of simple ethics. He is automatically disqualified.
Again,terrible reporting…..and biased….you list the top 3 and what a coincidence, they are all Democratics. SMH, you don’t even try to hide your bias…. FYI John Rivera is also a retired Police Sergeant, not just former PBA president. Additionally, I can’t seem to figure out in what order you have these candidates, however, I would think the Republican Female who is second in command surely, should not be on the bottom.
Joe Sanchez is an idiot. When he was a Miami Commissioner he made the Motion to steal over $3 Billion from the taxpayers and hand it over to the out-of-town based owner of the Miami Marlins. Sanchez never read a page of the 600 page lease. Disgraced ex-Mayor Manny Diaz controlled him. He does what corrupt lobbyists tell him to do.
I would only vote for an outsider from another state, someone that is not attached to the corruption of many of the individuals noted on this article.
I support Coral Gables’ own Ignacio “Iggy” Alvarez!
Jackson Rip Holmes
the focus of political consultants, observers and watchdogs will be on the 2024 ballot.
missing in thay sentence is the words”citizens” which says a lot about the frame of mind. add “journalists” and there you have it: “the ruling class” whether they admit it or not.
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