A.G. Gancarski
Rep. Kim Daniels, an iconoclastic Jacksonville Democrat, opened a campaign account for the 2020 election on Friday.
Daniels, who represents HD 14 in Northwest Jacksonville, was first elected in 2016.
She has been more closely aligned with Republican Mayor Lenny Curry than with members of her own party.
Daniels was re-elected in the Democratic primary in August 2018, defeating then-Duval County School Board chair Paula Wright despite the local party leaning in favor of Wright’s campaign.
As there were no GOP or NPA candidates, the open primary was decisive.
Last year, the Florida Chamber recognized Daniels as the most pro-business Democrat in state government.
Additionally, she is known for bills that many critics say blur the lines between church and state, including a 2019 proposal to require high schools to offer Bible study courses as an elective.
Daniels may be best known in some circles for claiming that unnamed “prophets” foretold Hurricane Irma.
The lawmaker has not yet filed her 2019 financial disclosure—it was due on July 1 though a grace period is in effect until Sept. 1.
However, her 2018 document revealed a net worth of $485,040, a number boosted by $350,000 of “personal effects.”
Daniels’ parsonage in Davie, via her Spoken Word Ministries, is her main asset, valued at $952,810.
However, with a $748,000 mortgage and over $103,000 on a Wells Fargo line of credit, much of that was offset by liabilities in the Reverend’s name.
HD 14 has a strong Democratic majority of its 107,000 registered voters, over 62,000 are Democrats.
However, these Democrats like what Daniels has to offer, despite consternation of establishment Democrats who see her as not aligning with them on key issues.
