MIAMI - Miami-Dade Democrat sheriff candidate James Reyes announced Monday he has been endorsed by the United Teachers of Dade.
"I'm incredibly grateful to have the support of the hardworking members of the United Teachers of Dade," Reyes said on social media. "Our teachers perform one of the most critical public services, and it's crucial that they are supported, compensated fairly, and protected on the job."
The United Teacher of Dade, or UTD, is composed of more than 27,000 full and part-time teachers, paraprofessionals, school support personnel, and office employees across Miami-Dade County.
Represented under UTD, Miami-Dade public schools is the largest public school district in Florida and the fourth largest in the United States with over 330,000 K-12 students.
Other organizations that have endorsed Reyes include the South Florida Police Benevolent Assocation, AFSCME Florida, and the South Florida AFL-CIO. In addition, Reyes has earned support from Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Marie Cava Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony.
Hand-picked by Cava, Reyes holds 25 years of law enforcement experience in South Florida, including 22 with the Broward Sheriff's Office. Reyes currently serves as Chief of Public Safety in Miami-Dade and lives in Broward County.
"I am committed to building a Sheriff's Office that keeps all of our residents, seniors, and families safe in every corner of Miami-Dade while championing a community where everyone is safe and free," Reyes previously said.
Miami-Dade has had an appointed "police director" since 1966. In 2018, Florida voters restored the elected sheriff position after passing Amendment 10.
Reyes' endorsement comes after his opponent, Republican candidate Rosie Cordero-Stutz, was endorsed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last week. Cordero-Stutz also backed by former President Donald Trump and Florida Sen. Rick Scott.
The Miami-Dade County sheriff election is scheduled for Nov. 5.
