Kimberly Daniels

Last updated

Kimberly Daniels
Kimberly Daniels.jpg
Member of the FloridaHouseofRepresentatives
from the 14th district
In office
November 8, 2016 November 3, 2020
Children4
Alma mater
ProfessionMinister
Website www.kimdanielsministries.com

Kimberly Daniels (born June 12, 1961) [1] is an American minister, religious author, politician, wife and mother of four from Jacksonville, Florida. She is a member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing House District 14 (part of Duval County). She began her political career as an at-large member of the Jacksonville City Council. She served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing House District 14 (part of Duval County) as a member of the Democratic Party from 2016–2020 before losing her re-election campaign to Florida state House representative Angie Nixon. During the 2022 election, Nixon ran to represent House District 13, creating a vacant seat in House District 14. On the last day of qualifying for the 2022 election, Daniels entered the race for the House District 14 seat in 2022. On August 23, 2022, she easily took the Democratic Primary for House District 14, winning all of the district’s 41 precincts. Shortly thereafter, the write-in candidate withdrew from the race, securing Daniels’ return to the Florida House of Representatives, this time without ever having to win a general election campaign. [2]

Contents

Personal life

Daniels is a graduate of Florida State University where she obtained a bachelor's degree in criminology. Daniels has a master's degree in Christian education and a doctorate in Christian counseling from the not regionally accredited Jacksonville Theological Seminary. [1] Daniels' book Breaking the Power of Familiar Spirits is now a class textbook at JTS. [3]

Daniels has expressed thankfulness to God for slavery and for her time in a crackhouse (she is a self-described former sex worker and drug addict), which she saw as ultimately leading to her religious conversion: "If it wasn’t for slavery, I might be somewhere in Africa worshipping a tree." [4] [5] Daniels also said, "You can talk about the Holocaust, but the Jews own everything." [6] [7]

In 2011 Daniels was elected to the Jacksonville City Council as an at-large member. [8] On March 9, 2015, then-city councilwoman Daniels was involved in a profanity-laced squabble with council candidate Sirretta Williams, also a local minister. [9] [10] She lost her bid for re-election in 2015, 55% to 45%. Her Republican opponent received support from LGBT groups and white liberals due to Daniels' controversial views and financial problems.

Daniels and her husband Ardell were divorced in 2015/6. [11]

Florida House of Representatives

Daniels was first nominated to the House in 2016 (incumbent Mia L. Jones could not run due to term limits), winning the Democratic nomination with 6781 votes (35.99% of the vote) in the primary election, defeating attorney Leslie Jean-Bart (31.32%) and three other candidates. In the general election she easily defeated Republican nominee Christian Whitfield, taking just over two-thirds of the vote.

Florida HD 14 map (2012 redistricting) Florida House of Representatives District 14 (redistricting of 2012) map.pdf
Florida HD 14 map (2012 redistricting)

In March 2017, it was reported that Daniels was under investigation by the Florida Elections Commission after it found probable cause that she used campaign funds for personal expenses and later falsely reported information on finance reports. [12]

In early 2018, Daniels introduced HB 839, a bill that requires public schools to display the motto "In God We Trust" in a conspicuous place. On Tuesday, January 23, 2018, the bill received unanimous approval from the House PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee. [13] Later, in a vote on February 21, 2018, the bill passed 97 to 10 in the House. [14] [15] The measure was eventually adopted as law in March 2019 as part of an education bill. [16]

On August 28, 2018, Daniels defeated educator Paula Wright in the Democratic primary for her seat. [17] She did not have a Republican opponent, and conspicuously drew campaign support from Republican officeholders and donors. [18]

In early 2019, Daniels sponsored legislation to require schools to teach courses on the Bible. The Florida House PreK-12 Quality Subcommittee approved the measure. [19] [20]

Daniels championed a $1 million-dollar contract for SCLC World Wide, run by Gary Johnson. In the summer of 2019, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice sued SCLC World Wide for not delivering on its commitments. The following day, Daniels was sued by a former staffer, Karen Riggien, who claimed to have been wrongfully fired in February 2018 in connection with interactions with Gary Johnson, a man Riggien described as Daniels' boyfriend. [21] [22] [23] [24]

On July 23, 2019, the Freedom from Religion Foundation wrote to Representative Daniels requesting that she stop blocking users on Facebook. [25]

On August 18, 2020, Daniels lost renomination in the Democratic primary election to Angie Nixon. [26]

False Disclosures & Ethical Investigations

The Jacksonville Democrat has repeatedly faced ethics and elections complaints during her eight years in politics.

In 2017, Daniels was accused of illegally using campaign funds for personal expenses in 2015. [27] An investigation was launched after a complaint was filed that year about a $4,000 expenditure listed on her campaign finance report. Daniels agreed to pay a $1,500 fine related to the 2015 Election Commission complaint.

Once again, in 2019, Daniels agreed to admit she broke the law by filing inaccurate financial disclosures in 2012, 2013 and 2014. [28]

Authored works

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al Green (politician)</span> American politician (born 1947)

Alexander N. Green is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative from Texas's 9th congressional district since 2005. A member of the Democratic Party, Green served as the justice of the peace of Harris County, Texas from 1977 to 2004. The 9th district includes most of southwestern Houston and part of Fort Bend County, including most of Missouri City. It also includes western portions of Pearland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Rutherford (Florida politician)</span> American politician (born 1952)

John Henry Rutherford is an American politician and former police officer serving as the U.S. representative from Florida's 5th congressional district since 2017. His district encompasses most of Jacksonville and most of its suburbs in Nassau and St. Johns counties, including St. Augustine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audrey Gibson</span> American politician

Audrey Gibson is an American politician serving as a Democratic member of the Florida Senate, representing the 6th district, which includes sections of downtown Jacksonville in Duval County, since 2016. She previously represented the 9th district from 2012 to 2016 and the 1st district from 2011 to 2012. Gibson also served in the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 15th district in downtown Jacksonville from 2002 to 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry L. Fields</span> American politician

Terry L. Fields is a Democratic politician who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008, representing the 14th District, which included parts of downtown Jacksonville in western Duval County. He is currently a candidate for the Florida House in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patty Kim (politician)</span> American politician

Patty H. Kim is an American politician. A Democrat, she is a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives representing the 103rd district, serving since 2013. She previously served on the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania City Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay Fant</span> American politician

Julian E. "Jay" Fant is a Republican politician who formerly served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 15th District, which includes parts of downtown Jacksonville in southern Duval County, from 2014 to 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Florida Attorney General election</span>

The 2018 Florida Attorney General election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the Attorney General of Florida. Incumbent Republican attorney general Pam Bondi was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term.

Charisma House is a Christian publishing firm based in Lake Mary, Florida. The CEO is Stephen Strang.

The 2017–18 United States political sexual scandals saw a heightened period of allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment and assault, and resulted in the subsequent firings and resignations of American politicians. Some of the allegations are linked to the aftermath of the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases starting in October 2017 amid the wider MeToo movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kim Schrier</span> American physician and politician (born 1968)

Kimberly Merle Schrier is an American politician and a former physician serving as the U.S. representative from Washington's 8th congressional district since 2019. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fentrice Driskell</span> American politician from Florida

Fentrice DeNell Driskell is an American attorney and politician who is the Representative in the Florida House of Representatives from the 67th House district in Hillsborough County. She is Of Counsel at the law firm of Carlton Fields. A Democrat, she is minority leader in the Florida House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anna V. Eskamani</span> American politician from Florida

Anna Vishkaee Eskamani is an American politician who is the member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 42nd district, encompassing parts of Orlando along with Maitland, Winter Park, Eatonville, Edgewood, and Belle Isle. She is the first Iranian American elected to any public office in Florida. Eskamani is a member of the Democratic Party and supports abortion rights, increased gun control, increasing expenditures on public education, and strengthening environmental regulations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Jacksonville mayoral election</span> Election in Jacksonville, Florida, US

The 2019 Jacksonville mayoral election was held on March 19, 2019, to elect the mayor of Jacksonville. Incumbent mayor Lenny Curry, a Republican, won a majority of votes to win a second term in office. No Democratic candidate qualified for the mayoral election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Sabatini</span> American politician (born 1988)

Anthony Frank Sabatini is an American attorney and politician who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 32nd district from 2018 to 2022. He was a candidate in the 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida for Florida's 7th congressional district, losing the Republican primary to Cory Mills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Beltran</span> American politician from Florida

Mike Beltran is an American politician in the state of Florida. He is a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives representing the state's 57th district, which includes part of Hillsborough County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karen Whitsett</span> American politician (born 1967)

Karen Whitsett is an American politician from Michigan. Whitsett is a Democratic member of the Michigan House of Representatives from District 4. She is the most conservative Democrats in the Michigan House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angie Nixon</span> American politician

Angela Nixon is an American politician and community organizer from Jacksonville, Florida. She serves in the Florida House of Representatives. Nixon is currently Director for the Florida Public Service Union's (FPSU) Higher Education Campaign and was previously the Florida state field director for the Service Employees International Union, of which FPSU is an affiliate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kim Berfield</span> American politician

Kim Berfield is a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives representing the 58th district. She was elected in 2022. Previously, she represented the 50th district from 2000 to 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yvonne Hayes Hinson</span> Member of Florida House of Representatives

Yvonne Hayes Hinson is an American politician who currently serves as the representative for Florida House of Representatives District 20 as a member of the Democratic Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Jacksonville mayoral election</span> Election in Jacksonville, Florida, US

The 2023 Jacksonville mayoral election was held on March 21, 2023, with a runoff held on May 16. Incumbent Republican mayor Lenny Curry was term-limited and could not seek a third term in office. Seven candidates filed to run, including four Republicans, two Democrats, and an independent. Jacksonville mayoral elections use a blanket primary system where all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, appear on the same ballot.

References

  1. 1 2 "Kimberly Daniels". News4JAX . March 12, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2019. Party: Democrat Age: 53 Family: 6 children Occupation: Pastor/Author/Public Servant Education: Bachelor's degree in Criminology, Florida State University; Master's Degree in Christian Education, Jacksonville Theological Seminary; Doctorate in Christian Counseling, Jacksonville Theological Seminary
  2. Admin (August 26, 2022). "Election Night Yields Clear Winners, Losers and Surprises". The Jacksonville Free Press . Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  3. "STUDENT CATALOG 2019 - 2020" (PDF). p. 84. SG 5353 Breaking the Power of Familiar Spirits Textbook Dr. Kimberly Daniels / Dr. Fabienne M. Naomi When it comes to the supernatural, many in the church have the mental belief but lack the physical evidence because they are deficient in spiritual power. This course addresses this issue and answers questions regarding the Holy Spirit, the supernatural, revival, the Gifts of the Spirit, and more.
  4. DAN MACGUILL (January 2, 2019). "Did Florida State Rep. Kimberly Daniels Once Say, 'I Thank God for Slavery'?". Snopes . Retrieved October 6, 2019. The quotation is authentic.{...}Daniels' reference to "the crack house" was an allusion to her own purported past as a drug addict and sex worker.
  5. "Kimberly Daniels Thanks God For Slavery". March 9, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2019 via YouTube. I thank God for slavery. I thank God for the crackhouse. If it wasn't for the crackhouse, come on somebody, God wouldn't have never been able to use me how He can use me now. And if it wasn't for slavery, I might be somewhere in Africa worshipping a tree.
  6. Cerabino, Frank. "Dear God, we don't trust the people who want to put up signs". The Palm Beach Post . Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  7. "Kimberly 'Demon-Buster' Daniels Tries To Spin Bigoted and Bizarre Statements". April 20, 2011. Retrieved October 6, 2019 via YouTube.
  8. "About Kimberly Daniels - Apostle Kimberly Daniels". kimberlydaniels.net.
  9. Hong, Christopher. "Councilwoman Kimberly Daniels, candidate Sirretta Williams in profanity-laced squabble at polls". Daniels has gained as much attention for her work on the council as her background as an ex-prostitute and a minister who performs exorcisms.
  10. "Councilwoman's alleged attacker: "Your word against mine"". March 11, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  11. A.G. Gancarski (August 13, 2016). "The church as a hustle: Inside the rise and fall of Kim Daniels' marriage". Florida Politics. Retrieved October 7, 2019. Her ex-husband, Ardell Daniels,
  12. 1 2 Mitchell, Tia. "State Rep. Kimberly Daniels accused of using campaign funds for personal expenses".
  13. "Schools could be required to display 'In God we trust'". Associated Press. January 24, 2018.
  14. Sterling, Joe (February 23, 2018). "Florida lawmakers advance a bill that requires 'In God We Trust' displayed on school grounds". cnn.com. CNN.
  15. "Florida lawmakers advance bill that would require 'In God We Trust' to be visible on all school buildings". newsweek.com. February 23, 2018.
  16. ALEXANDRA HUTZLER (August 14, 2018). "'IN GOD WE TRUST': FLORIDA PUBLIC SCHOOLS MUST NOW DISPLAY RELIGIOUS MOTTO AND OTHER STATES COULD SOON FOLLOW". Newsweek . Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  17. David Bauerlein (August 28, 2019). "Rep. Daniels wins race against Paula Wright for District 14 - News - The Florida Times-Union - Jacksonville, FL". The Florida Times-Union . Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  18. Gancarski, A. G. (August 26, 2018). "GOP cash factors into HD 14 Dem primary war between Paula Wright, Kim Daniels". floridapolitics.com. Peter Schorsch/Extensive-Enterprises. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  19. "House panel backs Bible courses for Florida public schools". Tallahassee Democrat . March 7, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019. "This is a public policy issue, not a worship issue," Daniels said before the House PreK-12 Quality Subcommittee approved the measure (HB 195).
  20. "Florida lawmaker files bill requiring schools to teach courses on Bible, religion". WWSB . January 14, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  21. Steve Patterson (September 12, 2019). "State sues to get back cash from anti-violence program championed by Florida Rep. Kimberly Daniels". The Florida Times-Union . Retrieved October 6, 2019. State Rep. Kimberly Daniels championed a $1 million contract for a group led by a man her ex-aide claims was Daniels' boyfriend. Florida is trying to recover $250,000 of that after ending the program. A nonprofit that a Jacksonville lawmaker helped land a $1 million state contract to run a youth program against gun violence is being sued for not delivering on its commitment.{...}The day after the state sued SCLC World Wide, Daniels was sued by a former staffer, Karen Riggien, who complained of "defendant's allowance of Gary Johnson to act as supervisor and demand tasks [by Daniels' staff], all while he was never employed by defendant." The suit, which argued Riggien was wrongfully fired, said Daniels told the aide to "respond to Gary Johnson as she would a supervisor" and do as he asked.
  22. Tarik Minor (September 13, 2019). "Jacksonville lawmaker facing potential legal trouble". News4JAX . Retrieved October 5, 2019. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - There are potential legal problems for Rep. Kimberly Daniels, D-Florida, who is tied to two separate lawsuits, one of which was filed by a former aide and the other filed by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
  23. "Daniels-complaint-1.pdf" (PDF). July 2, 2019. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  24. A.G. Gancarski (July 8, 2019). "Kim Daniels sued by former legislative assistant for wrongful termination" . Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  25. JESSICA PALOMBO (August 1, 2019). "Group Warns Rep. Daniels: Stop Blocking People On Facebook Or Face Potential Suit". WJCT . Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  26. "Kimberly Daniels loses House District 14 seat to organizer Angie Nixon".
  27. "State Rep. Kimberly Daniels accused of using campaign funds for personal expenses".
  28. "Rep. Kim Daniels willing to say she filed false financial disclosures".
  29. 1 2 "| A Kim Daniels 'Demonbuster' Quote Base".