The return of a long-lost office in Miami-Dade County
In short: After nearly sixty years, the role of sheriff has returned to Miami-Dade County. The election of Rosie Cordero-Stutz marks more than just a political shift; it represents the restoration of an institution that was abolished following decades of scandal.
Following several controversies involving Sheriff Talmadge "T. A." Buchanan, the Miami-Dade County sheriff role was eliminated in 1966. A." Buchanan. For decades, the office did not exist, until a 2018 state constitutional amendment established the role as an independent elected office, alongside the tax collector, property appraiser, and supervisor of elections. This structural change followed a 2018 amendment that also redefined the roles of the county's property appraiser, tax collector, and supervisor of elections.
Rosie Cordero-Stutz, a Republican and former police officer, won the office in the November 2024 general election. She defeated Democratic nominee James Reyes with 56% of the vote. Her victory was part of a broader Republican sweep of the county's constitutional officers. The campaign featured significant debate, including accusations that Reyes sent misleading mailers and a discussion regarding law enforcement accountability, where Cordero-Stutz focused on administrative policy changes. The election process was highly competitive, as she first secured the Republican nomination after defeating ten other candidates in the August 20, 2024, primary. Her campaign received significant backing from prominent figures, including Governor Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump.
Cordero-Stutz's ascent to the office is marked by several historical milestones. Having joined the Miami-Dade Police Department in 1996, she rose through the ranks from patrol officer to police major in 2013, and eventually to assistant director of Support Services in 2022. Upon being sworn into office on January 7, 2025, she became the first female sheriff in Miami-Dade County since 1966, the first Latina sheriff of the county, and the first Hispanic American woman to serve as sheriff in Florida history. Born in the Dominican Republic, she was raised in New York City by her mother. Her academic background includes a criminal justice degree from Marist University and a Master of Public Administration from Florida International University.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Rosie Cordero-Stutz
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