Suspended Miami-Dade commissioner Joe Martinez, facing criminal case, is running for sheriff

MIAMI – After appearing in court Tuesday facing felony charges, suspended Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez made it official Tuesday: He wants to be the county’s top law enforcer.

Martinez, facing felony corruption charges, is joining a crowded field of candidates vying to become Miami-Dade County’s first sheriff since the 1960s.

The 66-year-old Republican denies any allegations of wrongdoing in the 2022 criminal case, which centers around allegations that he accepted payments from a local supermarket owner while serving on the commission.

Martinez, a former Miami-Dade police lieutenant, claimed following his arrest that the case against him was politically-motivated because he was seen as a top contender for sheriff.

Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Martinez from office three weeks after his arrest.

He spoke to local media outlets outside of a Miami-Dade courtroom Tuesday.

“After all this, I decided the community deserves to have a law enforcement person who not only has an exemplary record as a police officer, but who also has command of government,” Martinez said.

A trial date in Martinez’s corruption case has been scheduled for June 24. Primary elections are scheduled for Aug. 20, with the general election scheduled for Nov. 5.