MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. (WSVN) – For the first time in six decades, Miami-Dade County voters have spoken and elected the Republican candidate to oversee the sheriff’s office. On Tuesday, Rosie Cordero-Stutz was declared the winner of the race for Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office with 55% winning margin. Her Democratic opponent, James Reyes, ended up with 45% of the votes. Cordero-Stutz is a current Miami-Dade Police officer who has served in top posts in several divisions in her 28-year career, having worked her way up from street cop to assistant director. Cordero-Stutz made history becoming the first sheriff in Miami-Dade County in 60 years. She held her watch party at the EB Hotel in Miami Springs where she thanked her supporters. “As you, the county of Miami-Dade, Miami-Dade Police Department [applause], how you trust in me, during this difficult, difficult year. That was new to me. I didn’t know how to be a politician, but apparently I did alright [applause],” said Cordero-Stutz. Cordero-Stutz currently oversees investigative services for the Miami-Dade Police Department and she’s been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis and former MDPD Chief Juan Perez. Many of her supporters in the building were law enforcement officials and local politicians. 7News was on sight and asked Cordero-Stutz about her feelings about winning the sheriff’s race and what residents can expect to see from the sheriff’s office. “Well, I’m extremely excited because I really truly believe that I have a lot of skills and ability to stand up this independent office of sheriff, and secure the safety of this community, and establish this sheriff’s office that is independent for the future of this county. It means the world to me,” said Cordero-Stutz. “The reason they did away with this position in the first place was because of the rampant public corruption within the sheriff’s department. How are you going to keep politics and dirty money and corruption out of this position, knowing the history of this position,” said 7News’ reporter Sheldon Fox. “I’m going to start with establishing policy. I’m going to start with establishing a pattern of behavior, by culture and a succession plan, to ensure that there are people who are professional first before politicians,” said Cordero-Stutz. Earlier in the day, 7News caught up with Cordero-Stutz as she made last-minute campaign stops in Doral and Sweetwater. “I am the only police officer running for sheriff in Miami-Dade County. I am the only person that served as a police officer for 28 years, right here in this county. That’s important,” said Cordero-Stutz. “I’ll serve this community like I have done so in the last 28 years. In a way that is for all of Miami-Dade County.” As for her Democratic opponent, Reyes thanked his supporters and issued the following statement on the results of Tuesday’s general election. “My life’s work has been about public service and putting the community first, which is why I decided to run for Sheriff. Though tonight’s results are not what we worked so hard for or what we hoped, I am so grateful to my family, our dedicated campaign team, and our incredible volunteers who have done so much to fight for our shared vision of public safety and public trust. After months on the campaign trail, I am looking forward to some much-needed time with my wife and kids, and to continuing my work as Miami-Dade’s Chief of Public Safety, helping to ensure our community has a smooth transition to the elected Sheriff next year. Finally, I want to send my sincere congratulations to our Sheriff-Elect, wishing her the best of luck in this crucial role. I look forward to working with her in pursuit of our shared commitment to keeping Miami-Dade County safe.” James Reyes Her plans as sheriff include focusing on the safety of the community and addressing how the department handles mental distress calls.