Jesse Scheckner
Miami-Dade Public Safety Chief James Reyes just added four more backers to his bid to become the county’s first Sheriff since the 1960s.
Reyes’ campaign announced new endorsements from Homestead Rep. Kevin Chambliss, Miami Beach Council member Alex Fernandez, Doral Council member Maureen Porras and Miami Gardens Council member Robert Stephens.
In one way or another, all pointed to Reyes’ law enforcement experience and record of service as key to their support of him.
“I proudly endorse Chief Reyes for Miami-Dade Sheriff because of his incredible track record in public safety and executive leadership,” Chambliss said in a statement Thursday.
“Chief Reyes has the experience and dedication it takes to lead our community forward on Day One — and has proven his ability to connect with and build trust with members of our community from every corner of Miami-Dade County. I know James will keep our families safe because he’s a proven leader who has delivered results.”
Fernandez said Reyes has displayed “unwavering dedication to the safety of Miami-Dade” since joining Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s administration as Director of the county Corrections Department in 2022.
Reyes became Chief of Public Safety — overseeing the Police, Fire Rescue and Corrections Departments — in November.
For 22 years of his law enforcement career, Reyes worked at the Sheriff’s Office in Broward County, where he and at least two other Miami-Dade Sheriff candidates still live. All have vowed to relocate to Miami-Dade with a victory in November.
Porras said in a statement that she is “confident Chief Reyes is the right leader for this crucial job.”
“The role of Sheriff is about more than law enforcement,” she said. “It’s about knowing how to be a collaborative leader, how to form deep ties with the community, and how to always put public safety first while building trust.”
Stephens said Reyes’ more than two decades of experience as a public servant and his record over that period “demonstrates a commitment to public safety that we need in our Sheriff’s Office this November.”
Reyes said he’s honored to receive the new endorsements, which join nods from several other elected officials, including Levine Cava, embattled Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony and advocacy organizations like AFSCME Florida.
“I’m working hard to win the support of leaders and residents across our county,” he said in a statement. “I strongly believe that working collaboratively with our municipal officials, our community leaders, and our residents is the best way to keep our community safe.
Reyes, a Democrat, led all candidates last quarter in fundraising, stacking $378,000 between his campaign account and political committee. On the Republican side, Florida State Trooper Joe Sanchez, a former Miami City Commissioner, collected $212,500.
Miami-Dade hasn’t had an elected Sheriff since 1966, when voters there eliminated the position after a grand jury report revealed rampant corruption within the Department. Instead, the county Mayor serves as the de facto Sheriff and has since had an appointed Police Director or Chief of Public Safety who reports to them.
In 2018, 58% of Miami-Dade voters joined a statewide supermajority in approving a constitutional amendment requiring all 67 counties in Florida to have an elected Sheriff, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser and Clerk of Courts by early 2025.
