Jesse Scheckner
More than a third of the Sheriffs now serving in Florida want Assistant Miami-Dade Police Director Rosie Cordero-Stutz to serve as her county’s first Sheriff since the 1960s.
Cordero-Stutz’s campaign this week announced endorsements from 27 of Florida’s 66 active county Sheriffs.
They include:
— Mike Adkinson, Walton.
— Michelle Cook, Clay.
— Kevin Crews, Washington.
— Bill Farmer, Sumter.
— Eric Flowers, Indian River.
— Emory Gainey, Alachua.
— Bob Gualtieri, Pinellas.
— David Hardin, Glades.
— Mike Harrison, Gulf.
— Kurt Hoffman, Sarasota.
— Mark Hunter, Columbia.
— Wayne Ivey, Brevard.
— Grady Judd, Polk.
— Bill Leeper, Nassau.
— Mac McNeill, Jefferson.
— Buddy Money, Liberty.
— Al Nienhuis, Hernando.
— Wayne Padgett, Taylor.
— Bill Prummell, Charlotte.
— Bobby Schultz, Gilchrist.
— Gordon Smith, Bradford.
— Noel Stephen, Okeechobee.
— John Tate, Holmes.
— T.K. Waters, Duval.
— Brad Whitehead, Union.
— Billy Woods, Marion.
— Morris Young, Gadsden.
Former Sheriffs Al Lamberti of Broward County and Bob White of Pasco County also threw their support behind Cordero-Stutz, a press note from her campaign said. Their nods join others from Donald Trump, former Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez and U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez, Miami-Dade’s immediate past Mayor.
Judd said in a statement Wednesday that Cordero-Stutz’s qualifications in the Sheriff’s race are “unmatched.”
“Her commitment to law enforcement and her proven track record with the Miami-Dade County Police Department ensure she will be a reliable protector of our community.”
Hoffman said Cordero-Stutz’s values and dedication to public safety are “simply undeniable.”
“I’ve known Rosie Cordero-Stutz for many years, and her unwavering dedication to law and order, coupled with her extensive experience with the Miami-Dade Police Department makes her the ideal candidate for Sheriff,” he said.
Ivey called Cordero-Stutz “exceptionally qualified.” Lamberti cited her 28 years with the Miami-Dade Police Department and rise within it as proof she is “the most qualified, best situated candidate to lead” as Sheriff.
Cordero-Stutz faces 10 Republican Primary opponents: Iggy Alvarez, Ruamen DelaRua, Alex Fornet, Jeff Giordano, Mario Knapp, Joe Martinez, John Rivera, Ernie Rodriguez, Joe Sanchez and Jose Aragu, whose campaign received a $300,000 cash infusion this month from hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin.
Four Democrats are running: John Barrow, Susan Khoury, Rickey Mitchell and James Reyes. Reyes, Miami-Dade’s recently appointed Chief of Public Safety, oversees the county’s Police, Fire Rescue and Corrections Departments and has the backing of Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
Every candidate is a current or former law enforcement professional.
The Primary is on Aug. 20, followed by the General Election on Nov. 5.
