Former City of Miami Commissioner and Miami-Dade County Sheriff hopeful Joe Sanchez (R) has released a new video series titled “Endorsements that Matter.” The series includes a collection of testimonies from members of the community detailing the experiences they’ve had with Sanchez, endorsing him for the position of Miami-Dade County Sheriff.
One of the endorsements comes from Felix Rodriguez – a former Central Intelligence Agency Officer and Brigade 2506 veteran – who met Sanchez over three decades ago when he was a city commissioner.
"I met Joe over 30 years ago when he was commissioner in the City of Miami," said Felix Rodriguez. "Joe has the background, the respect of the people, and the admiration of many people who have known him for many years because he has served them for many years.”
Furthermore, Sanchez believes that these types of endorsements are “the most meaningful” to him and his campaign.
"Unlike other campaigns, we believe that the most meaningful endorsements come from those who know me best," said Joe Sanchez. "These videos will showcase the genuine respect and admiration that I have for our community from people who have known me for years as a law enforcement officer, elected official, and neighbor, and why they trust me to lead as our County’s next Sheriff."
Sanchez has lived in Miami-Dade County for 52 years and boasts 36 of those years in public service and law enforcement.
This includes eight years in the Army Reserves, 11 years as a city commissioner, and 36 years as a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) officer.
Miami-Dade County hasn’t had a Sheriff’s Office since 1966, but a 2018 amendment to the Florida Constitution required all counties in the Sunshine State to elect all constitutional officers – including a sheriff – beginning in 2024.
Upon announcing his candidacy, Sanchez stated that he would step away from FHP in the name of transparency.
"I believe in transparency, and it is not appropriate for law enforcement officers to be campaigning while on the taxpayers' dime," he said in the statement. "I ask all the candidates who are currently working in any capacity for a federal, state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency, to follow my lead and take a leave of absence immediately."
The primary election for the position of sheriff will occur on August 20 with the general election taking place on Nov. 5.
