MIAMI - Miami-Dade Democratic sheriff candidate James Reyes and Republican sheriff candidate Rosie-Cordero Stutz engaged in a lively debate on Tuesday, including on the issue of candidate experience as voters decide who will be the county's first top cop in nearly 60 years.
Off the bat, moderator Jim Defede pressed Reyes' lack of experience, including never being a police officer. If nominated, Reyes would oversee more than 3,200 officers across Miami-Dade County.
"I'm not running to be a police officer. I'm not running to be a chief of police or a director. I'm running to be sheriff of Miami-Dade County," Reyes said. "As a candidate for sheriff, I'm uniquely qualified for this position being that I am the only candidate in this race and have been that has executive leadership experience leading a sheriff's office."
In his pitch, Reyes added he's led over 5600 employees, including law enforcement officers. He also mentioned managing a $1.2 billion dollar budget and having the endorsement of the Police Benevolent Assocation.
Cordero-Stutz, a 28-year veteran of the Miami-Dade Police department, countered by arguing it was important to be a police officer. She also began her rebuttal by attacking Reyes for allegedly releasing a mailer accusing her of being sentenced to jail.
"It's important to be able to understand what it is that you risk every day as a police officer when you put on that uniform, when you get in a car to respond to a 911 call, when you come up the ranks dedicating yourself to take examinations to be able to get promoted, to understand what it takes to lead the troops into battle," Cordero-Stutz said.
Cordero-Stutz also stressed the importance of building relationships with community leaders.
"You have to understand what it takes to be on the scene like a Surfside. You need to understand what it's like to respond to a Hurricane activation. These are all things to gather over 28 years of experience like I have had," Cordero-Stutz added.
On the mailer, Cordero-Stutz denied the claims, including any jail sentencing. The circumstance stems from an alleged 2013 contempt citation and deposition over a timeshare incident through a North Carolina bank.
Cordero-Stutz noted she did comply to the deposition and called the accusation by Reyes "disconcerting." Reyes denied saying she served any jail time.
"This position of sheriff is about integrity, and if you are going to use these words against me in the campaign like this, then what are you willing to do when it comes to the citizens of this county," Cordero-Stutz questioned.
Miami-Dade has had an appointed "police director" since 1966. In 2018, Florida voters restored the elected sheriff position after passing Amendment 10.
Both candidates have earned support for the position, including Reyes with Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Cordero-Stutz with former President Donald Trump.
Each also sparred over budget concerns, the traffic stop of Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill and racial policing, and the job of their roles if elected in enforcing federal immigration law.
Cordero-Stutz said it was not her job to enforce federal immigration laws, instead pointing that to the role of the federal government. She did however indicate working with federal agencies, such as ICE in Miami-Dade County.
"My role as sheriff is to enforce the laws here in this beautiful state of Florida. And here locally to protect my citizens," Cordero-Stutz said.
Reyes also said he would not enforce federal immigration law, and advocated against corroborating with the federal government to "round up folks in our community."
The Miami-Dade County sheriff election is on Nov. 5.
