Joe Martinez Runs for Miami-Dade Sheriff

Even though he has been arrested on felony unlawful compensation and conspiracy charges, former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Joe Martinez has decided to run for county Sheriff and will be announcing his candidacy for the new position on Tuesday.

“My commitment with all the residents of Miami-Dade County continues stronger than ever and I look forward to sharing this important announcement tomorrow with my community,” said Martinez in a media release The Floridian embargoed until Monday night.

That “important announcement” will be his candidacy for Miami-Dade Sheriff.

Because there is no official campaign set up, The Floridian spoke to several individuals with knowledge of the announcement that will take place at 11 am on the steps of the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building in Miami.

Martinez, who has been quietly called donors and legislators, was originally supposed to announce by noon on June 14, the last day to qualify for the position, but decided to move up the announcement.

Felony charges aside, Martinez could be considered one of the frontrunners in the crowded field of candidates. The former commissioner will enter the race with a $200,000 political committee war chest.

Martinez’s attorney Ben Kuehne, said that his client was “innocent of any wrongdoing” and intended to “aggressively work to clear his name.”

In addition, Kuehne fueled the growing speculation that the arrest was politically motivated, considering that Martinez is considering a run for the newly-created position of Miami-Dade County Sheriff.

This story is developing…