MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. (WSVN) – After reviewing the Republican candidates running for Miami-Dade Sheriff, we now turn our attention to the Democrats hoping to secure the county’s top law enforcement position.

Come January, the Miami-Dade Police Department will become the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, allowing voters to have the final say on who gets to be the county’s top cop.

Four Democrats are running to be their party’s nominee.

John Barrow, an 18-year veteran of the Miami-Dade Police Department, was born and raised in Carol City, now Miami Gardens. He joined the force after college, rising to the rank of major. Barrow believes his experience with the department makes him the right candidate for the job.

He says public safety is his top priority, along with challenging the status quo and making the agency more community-focused.

“I love this community. I also love this department. I know what we can do, I know our capabilities, I know our personnel, and I know where we need to improve. So due to that, I decided to run for sheriff to ensure that this community would be safe and free of crime,” Barrow said. He wants public safety as his top priority, along with challenging the status quo and making the agency more community-focused. “One of my top priorities as sheriff is to make Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office a community-rooted agency because, without the support of the community, we couldn’t do our jobs.”

Susan Khoury grew up in Miami-Dade County but was born in Jerusalem. With two degrees from the University of Miami, Khoury highlights her experience working in federal law enforcement with FEMA as a key qualification. She emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability.

“I feel it’s imperative that the next sheriff is not only honorable and credible but also gives the community what they need,” Khoury stated. “We’ll make sure that all of the funding from the residents of this county is accounted for, and you will know where it’s going and how it’s being spent.”

Rickey Mitchell, who retired from Miami-Dade Police as a lieutenant after 25 years, is the owner of Mitchell Funeral Home. He says he was called by God to enter the race. He aims to keep politics out of the new sheriff’s office.

“I want to get into this race and serve. I know the department, I have the experience, and I want to serve the people of Miami-Dade County,” Mitchell said. “We have to move forward with more concern and compassion for the residents of Miami-Dade County and keep politics out of the police and the sheriff’s department.”

James Reyes, the current Chief of Public Safety in Miami-Dade County, was raised in Miami-Dade after his family fled Cuba in the late ’70s. Reyes cites his years of experience at the Broward Sheriff’s Office as critical preparation for this role. He managed the Broward Sheriff’s Office budget and believes this experience is crucial in the new role of sheriff.

“Retiring from the Broward Sheriff’s Office and now being the Chief of Public Safety under this county government model is a contributing factor to why I’m doing it. I want to make sure it’s someone who has the experience to get us through this transition,” Reyes said. “I’m a true believer that this shouldn’t be a partisan race. Public safety is something that we all have the right to enjoy and experience in our daily lives. We have the right to know that when we go off to work, our family is going to be safe.”

Early voting is underway in Miami-Dade County, and the primary is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 20.

For more information on early voting locations and hours, visit the Miami-Dade County Elections Department website.

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MIAMI – A year after Cincinnati Reds starter Andrew Abbott began running out of gas as a rookie, the left-hander struggled for the fourth time in five starts Wednesday in a 6-4 loss to the very bad Miami Marlins.

Abbott (9-9) gave up two walks and two home runs, including a grand slam to Derek Hill, in a miserable first inning before settling down.

He got through five innings but not before giving up a second solo home run of the game to Jake Burger, and he needed 104 pitches to notch the five.

The three home runs allowed were a season high, and the six earned runs matched a season high for Abbott, whose five-game rough spell also includes three starters of 4 1/3 innings or less.

Since going 9-6 with a 3.06 ERA in his first 18 starts this season and flirting with All-Star consideration, Abbott has a 6.56 ERA in his last five starts. The Reds have won only one of those.

“I felt fine,” Abbott said. Everything’s firing. It’s the dog days of August. You’ve got to keep going and be better for the team next time.”

If anything, he said, a “missed execution mixed with bad umpiring” caused his undoing in the first. “And then good swings. They hit mistakes.”

By the time Reds center fielder TJ Friedl’s first career grand slam cleared the wall in right field with two out in the top of the seventh, it was too little, too late for the Reds.

The Reds loaded the bases again in the ninth with two outs for Jeimer Candelario, who grounded a 2-0 pitch to second for the final out.

Marlins rookie right-hander Valente Bellazo pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings against the Reds in his longest of four career starts. He escaped a two-out, bases-loaded jam in the second by striking out leadoff man Jonathan India after falling behind 2-0.

Miami Heat teammates Bam Adebayo and Nikola Jovic are facing off for a chance at the gold medal.

Team USA will play Serbia in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Thursday at 3 PM EST.

It begs the question of which Heat starter will emerge victorious: the heavy favorite in Adebayo, or could an inspiring performance from Jovic lift Serbia to victory?

Through four games in the Olympics, the 27-year-old Adebayo is performing exceptionally well. His three-point shooting is practical and improved, knocking down numerous throughout the tournament.

Adebayo is growing closer to his second gold medal. The USA recently defeated Brazil 122-87, and they’re starting to smell blood. Serbia fell short to the USA multiple times earlier in the summer, with coach Steve Kerr and Co. winning by a margin of more than 20 points in each.

The 21-year-old Jovic is dealing with a variety of issues keeping him off the floor. He did not suit up against Australia due to illness while slowly working back due to his ankle injury, which he suffered during the offseason. However, there’s a chance to hit the ground running in this matchup against Adebayo and the rest of the loaded USA roster.

If Serbia hopes to walk away victorious to earn a spot in the title game, they can’t just rely on the three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. Going up against the likes of LeBron James and Stephen Curry requires a full-power unit, along with some luck.

Whoever comes out on top marches to Saturday’s championship while the loser heads to battle for the bronze medal.

Miguel Mike Medina is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com

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