Joe Sanchez

Joe M. Sanchez (born April 13, 1965) is an Cuban-American politician who formerly served as a member of the Miami City Commission. He unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Miami in 2009 and sheriff of Miami-Dade County in 2024.

Early life, education, and career Sanchez was born in Cárdenas, Cuba, on April 13, 1965. He arrived in the United States at the age of five, settling in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami.

Sanchez graduated from Miami Senior High School (in 1983) As of late 2025, he worked as an information officer for the FHP. During his career as a state trooper, other positions he has held have included working as a community affairs officer and an hispanic affairs officer on the tactical response team.

2009 mayoral campaign

Sanchez ran for mayor of Miami in 2009. He faced fellow city commissioner Tomás Regalado.

2024 sheriff campaign and subsequent politics

Sanchez ran for Sheriff of Miami-Dade in 2024. The election was held after a state constitutional amendment required the county to establish an elected sheriff. It had previously not had an elected sheriff since 1966.

Sanchez was considered a possible contender for mayor of Miami in 2025, but did not run. He also considered running for Miami-Dade Commission in 2025.

In November 2025, Sanchez was one of five who applied for appointment to the Miami-Dade County Commission seat vacated by Eileen Higgins. Commissioners passed over him in favor of appointing Vicki Lopez. Sanchez ran in the 2026 special election for the seat, placing third of three candidates in a three-candidate race and failing to advance to the runoff election.