State Asked To Sanction Daniels for Campaign Violations

CN&V Cites Fact That Candidate for Sheriff Actually Lives in Alabama

Polls show Sheriff Michelle Cook is leading against opponent and former Sheriff Darryl Daniels.

Clay News & Views has filed a complaint with the Florida Elections Commission accusing candidate-for-sheriff Darryl Daniels of violating state law.

As reported in earlier stories, Darryl has met few Florida campaign regulations that he likes enough to follow. Also, as mentioned, county election officials have no punitive powers to force him to comply. Despite revelations of improprieties, Daniels has continued to campaign unhindered.

Our complaint seeks to prove that Daniels does not live in Florida and is, therefore, ineligible to run for or serve in public office in our state. The complaint also enumerates Daniels’ other campaign violations of Florida Statutes. The Elections Commission has the power to fine Daniels if it substantiates the complaint.

It’s also possible, like other politicians who have wronged the citizens of Clay County, the former sheriff will suffer no consequences whatsoever.

Freshman candidates often make mistakes. However, this is Daniels’ third time seeking the same office, so the commission may find it difficult to credit a defense based on ignorance of the laws.

In the past, allies of politicians filed many frivolous violation complaints with state commissions against opposing candidates. It didn’t matter if the subject of the complaint was guilty or innocent, the opposition then had the pleasure of telling the public their opponents had been “investigated” for wrongdoing by a state commission.

To stop these frivolous complaints, in what may be governmental overcompensation, it’s now almost as easy to get a kidney in Florida as it is to file a Florida law violation against a politician. However, we went through the process, and complainants like us are not bound by the confidentiality provisions. This story may be Darryl’s first official notification.

After Daniels was elected and took office in 2016, he was golden. He was the first black sheriff elected in our county. People welcomed him earnestly. He had everything—a huge salary, a big budget, all the fast cars and tricked-out trucks he and his entourage could drive, all the free coffee he could drink, a position of respect in our community and one of the most important jobs in the state.

Diane Hutchings was a county commissioner then, and she embraced him with fervor. She put him on the boards of the St. Johns Classical Academy and the Orange Park Hospital.

But soon, officers and civilian employees at the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, who just wanted to do their jobs and stay out of politics, became concerned about the new sheriff’s behavior as he acted like a pimped-out rock star. Women began complaining that Daniels had approached and eventually made unwanted sexual advances toward them. (A Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigative report would later confirm this.)

Daniels was criminally charged with lying to police, trying to destroy evidence, succeeding in destroying other evidence and using a national database for his own personal reasons. He was acquitted at trial but then went into self-imposed exile in Alabama. That’s old news.

Lots of folks were surprised at his gall to run for his old job after things had gotten so messy the first time. But despite the fact he has flouted Florida law, his campaign has been entertaining, at best. Daniels’ supporters, mostly a small number of women, have done the majority of the campaigning for their absent contender. Although their faces are well known in social media and all around the county for their unwavering devotion, they employed fake names—sometimes those of dead presidents—to visit some of Cook’s meet and greets, stuffed themselves on free food and took home large doggy bags.

Daniels reportedly has a new strategy to save his campaign and appeal to the Christian voter. When confronted with his past disturbing behavior, he plays the “Jesus card,” quoting scripture and flaunting his on-line preacher designation.

Even though Sheriff Cook and Daniels have both appeared at forums together, Daniels supporters have tried to goad Cook into a debate even after voting has commenced. Cook just said “No.”

Polls show that voters, too, are saying no to the former sheriff.

It could be many months before the Election Commission has a say. Yea or nay, CN&V will keep you informed.