Joe Sanchez, Florida Highway Patrol Trooper, is officially on the ballot for Miami-Dade County Sheriff, after filing to run for the position on Tuesday. Sanchez, who has been a fixture in the Miami-Dade community for over five decades, boasts a long tenure with the FHP and a history of service in public office. "As a longtime resident of Miami-Dade and a law enforcement professional, I am excited about this opportunity to serve the community that has given my family and I so much," Sanchez told CBS News Miami in a statement.
Sanchez's announcement follows the withdrawal of Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez from the sheriff's race, after the director's recent suicide attempt left the position wide open. Having already served 11 years as a city commissioner and an 8-year stint in the Army Reserves, Sanchez is no stranger to duty and leadership, a testament to his commitment having joined the FHP in 1987. While Sanchez's entry into the race was tipped off after dozens of law enforcement colleagues encouraged him following Ramirez's exit, "It's going to take someone to not only run a police department but also transition that police department from a Dade County police department to to a sheriff's office," Sanchez explained in an interview with NBC6.
As part of his campaign ethic, Sanchez has opted to take a leave from the FHP to avoid campaigning on the taxpayer's dime, urging other candidates from law enforcement backgrounds to do the same. In light of this, Sanchez has been a model of, "I believe in transparency, and it is not appropriate for law enforcement officers to be campaigning while on the taxpayers' dime," as stated in his official campaign announcement obtained by CBS News Miami.
Miami-Dade County is unique in its structuring, wherein the sheriff's position has been traditionally held by the sitting mayor since 1966, following a significant corruption scandal. The update that requires the election of a sheriff this year has attracted a diverse field of contenders, including the likes of former federal agent Susan Khoury and ex-police Major Ignacio "Iggy" Alvarez. Sanchez, who has dedicated his life to public service, stands out for being awarded the Medal of Valor in 1996 for his leadership role in the Value Jet Search and Recovery Team dealing with the aftermath of a catastrophic plane crash, according to CBS News Miami.
Sanchez and other hopefuls will face off in the primary election scheduled for Aug. 20, which will set the stage for the general election on Nov. 5, 2024. Miami-Dade County's vote will mark a historic change in its law enforcement leadership, bringing back an independently elected sheriff for the first time in nearly 60 years.
