MIAMI - Republican Rosie Cordero-Stutz was officially named the new sheriff of Miami-Dade County during a swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday.
"Thank you for your continued support as we embark on this new chapter of public safety for Miami-Dade!" Cordero Stutz said.
Cordero-Stutz is the county's first elected sheriff in nearly 60 years. She also is the first Hispanic woman to hold the position of sheriff in the State of Florida.
Moreover, Cordero-Stutz will be in charge of law enforcement in a county with a 70% Hispanic population. She also is the first female sheriff in Miami-Dade County history.
Cordero-Stutz joined the Miami-Dade Police Department in 1996. Over that time, she has worked as a patrol officer and most recently as the assistant director of investigative services.
This past November, Cordero-Stutz defeated Democratic candidate James Reyes 56% to 44% to become the county's first elected sheriff since the 1960's. Specifically, Cordero-Stutz received approximately 564,000 votes to Reyes' 448,000.
"I am incredibly humbled and deeply honored to have been elected as your new Miami-Dade County Sheriff. "Thank you to every voter across our diverse and vibrant community for placing your trust in me to lead our county’s law enforcement and protect our community. This victory belongs to all residents of Miami-Dade," Cordero-Stutz said at the time of her victory.
Before election day, Miami-Dade had an appointed "police director" since 1966. In 2018, Florida voters restored the elected sheriff position after passing Amendment 10.
Cordero-Stutz received several high-profile endorsements during her campaign, including from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and President-elect Donald Trump, who carried Miami-Dade County by over 11 points.
With Trump's backing, Cordero-Stutz bested 11 other sheriff candidates in the GOP primary in August.
Reyes, on the other hand, was handpicked by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. He also received an endorsement from Ex Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez in October.
Leading up to the election, Cordero-Stutz addressed her priorities if elected sheriff of Miami-Dade. They included a crackdown on illegal immigration and bringing a "voice" back to policing.
She also promised to build a relationship with Levine Cava, who stands as one of few elected Democrats in Miami-Dade after Trump's victory in November.
