Kim Daniels’ primary challenger a deaf activist once beaten unconscious by police
Connell Crooms is running for office again.

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Primary challenger was beaten by cops in Hemming Park.

A Jacksonville activist and former citywide political candidate filed to run against a controversial Democrat incumbent.

On Tuesday, activist Connell Crooms filed to run against Rep. Kim Daniels, who represents HD 14 in Northwest Jacksonville.

Daniels has had one of the most compelling personal histories of anyone in the Florida Legislature, with a long vocation as an evangelical minister globally, and overcoming all manner of adversity to serve in elected office for most of the last decade.

However, her opponent has his own unique history.

Crooms became known to Jacksonville residents in the wake of a protest that went awry in Hemming Park in 2017.

Crooms, who is deaf (and an activist for the deaf), ended up being beaten into unconsciousness by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Officers at that protest as a result of a provocateur’s actions.

Crooms was one of five protesters who were arrested; the charges were dropped against Crooms, with community sentiment on the side of Crooms and the rest of the Jax 5 protest contingent.

He briefly ran for Mayor, then shifted his focus to Jacksonville City Council At-Large District 1, saying that Curry spent a million dollars since he launched his run.

“We don’t beat up on hit dogs,” Crooms said.

However, Crooms suffered a resounding defeat, finishing in last place, with just 2,5% of the vote.

Daniels (backed in multiple elections by the Fraternal Order of Police) has expected a primary for some time, mentioning the possibility to this reporter and others as a “blessing.”

“I’m standing my ground. I have a right to be here. If they don’t like it,” Daniels said, “get a good opponent and send me home.”

Daniels, who represents HD 14 in Northwest Jacksonville, was first elected in 2016.

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 the Legislature.

Her January donations include $1,000 contributions from The Fiorentino Group and three political committees: Florida Influence, Florida Opinion Leaders, and Florida Right Direction.

These are largely funded by Reps. Travis Cummings and Paul Renner, two Republican leaders.

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.

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has written for FloridaPolitics.com since 2014. He is based in Northeast Florida. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


2 comments

  • Denise Hunt

    February 12, 2020 at 2:47 pm

    THINK..If Attorney Wayne Hogan’s cash that backed establishment Democrats-Attorney Leslie Scott Jean-Bart and Paula Wright couldn’t beat Kim Daniels, then how do Democrats think relatively low-recognition Connell Crooms can unseat her? Kim’s biggest strategy that works is centered around ignoring the Democratic party leadership and their debates. Seems Connell Crooms running against Kim Daniels for state Rep. district #14 is like a barking chihuahua fighting an aggressive bull dog. He’s has a lot of bark on progressive issues, but no bite with cash, and the backing of the status quo, religious, Democratic, senior, Black super voters. Republicans are using their cash to push wedge issues to divide the Black community on issues like school vouchers, prayer in public schools, and reproductive rights to keep Pro-conservative black Democrats in power. And it works!!

  • Nesy Hunt

    February 12, 2020 at 2:59 pm

    Most likely the Duval Democratic party Executive leadership will refuse to help his campaign with cash and labor, because he’s a grassroots progressive candidate that actually has an agenda to strengthen the Black community that constitute most of the Duval Democratic party. Watch!!!

Comments are closed.


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