Two prominent public safety endorsements are bolstering Miami-Dade County Commissioner Vicki Lopez\u2019s re-election campaign.<\/p>\n
Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz\u00a0and the Florida Professional Firefighters<\/a> union have both announced their support for\u00a0Lopez, the District 5 Commissioner representing Miami and Miami Beach.<\/p>\n Cordero-Stutz, Miami-Dade\u2019s first elected Sheriff in more than 50 years, commended Lopez\u2019s collaborative approach to public safety.<\/p>\n \u201cVicki Lopez has been an unwavering advocate for the safety and well-being of every resident in Miami-Dade County,\u201d she said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cAs Sheriff, I\u2019ve seen firsthand how her leadership strengthens the partnership between our communities and the agencies that serve them. She listens, she acts, and she delivers results. Commissioner Lopez has my full and enthusiastic support \u2014 she is exactly the kind of dedicated public servant Miami-Dade needs.\u201d<\/p>\n Wayne Bernoska, President of Florida Professional Firefighters, confirmed the statewide organization\u2019s backing in a letter, saying the group \u2014 which represents 31,000 firefighters across Florida \u2014 is \u201cproud to endorse Lopez.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that Commissioner Lopez will continue to honorably serve the citizens of Florida and the interests of the men and women employed in Fire and Emergency Medical Services, who have made the protection of life and property their life\u2019s work,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n The new nods add to others from AFSCME Florida<\/a>, Metro-Dade Firefighters IAFF Local 1403<\/a>,\u00a0Miami Beach IAFF Local 1510<\/a>,\u00a0 the Miami-Dade chapter of the\u00a0Florida State Fraternal Order of Police<\/a> and South Florida Police Benevolent Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cOur local heroes who put their own safety on the line every day to protect our communities deserve leaders who will always have their backs,\u201d Lopez said in a statement Wednesday. \u201cI am proud of the partnerships we\u2019ve built to strengthen public safety, support first responders, and improve quality of life for families throughout Miami-Dade County, and I look forward to continuing that work.\u201d<\/p>\n