Republican sheriff candidate Rosie Cordero-Stutz accuses Democrat opponent of spreading misleading mailer

MIAMI - Miami-Dade Republican sheriff candidate Rosie Cordero-Stutz blasted Democrat sheriff candidate James Reyes and the Florida Democratic Party on Friday for allegedly sending out a mailer accusing Cordero-Stutz of spending time in jail and other mistruths about her record.

"James Reyes and the Florida Democratic Party have sent out a misleading mailer with outright lies about my record. I’ve never spent a single minute in jail, and I’ve upheld the law for 28 years as a dedicated member of the Miami-Dade Police Department," Cordero-Stutz said.

The alleged mailer also called Cordero-Stutz a "threat to public safety."

Cordero-Stutz, who's running against Reyes to become Miami-Dade's first sheriff in nearly 60 years, added the mailer was "sickening" and an attempt to "defraud and swindle" Miami-Dade County voters.

Adding he has never been a police officer, Cordero-Stutz also called for an immediate apology from Reyes.

"My reputation and commitment to law and order will not be tarnished by this cheap act of desperation. I have no doubt voters will see through this absurdity and reject it at the ballot box," Cordero-Stutz continued. "Miami-Dade deserves a sheriff with real law enforcement experience, not someone who engages in dishonesty."

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 endorsements for the general election set for Nov. 5.

"After 28 years of serving and protecting this community with integrity and transparency, I stand proudly on my record, and I trust that our community will vote for truth and integrity and reject lies and deception," Cordero-Stutz added.