Daphne Campbell
| Daphne Campbell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 108th district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office November 16, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Ronald Brise |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 19, 1957 Cap-Haïtien, Haiti |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | SOD Nursing School (B.A.) |
| Profession | Registered nurse |
| Religion | Seventh-day Adventist |
Daphne Campbell (born May 19, 1957) is a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 108th District, which includes Miami and North Miami in northern Miami-Dade County, since 2010.
History
Campbell was born in Cap-Haïtien, a city in northern Haiti, where she attended the SOD Nursing School, receiving her bachelor's degree in 1981. She and her husband moved to Florida later that year, and she became a registered nurse. Campbell and her husband founded Professional Group Homes, a chain of nursing homes for the elderly, which the Department of Elder Affairs recommended be closed following an investigation that "found residents languishing without air conditioning and electricity," and was investigated by the Attorney General for Medicaid fraud.[1]
Florida House of Representatives
When incumbent State Representative Ronald Brise accepted a position on the Florida Public Service Commission in 2010, an open seat was created in the 108th District. Campbell ran in the Democratic primary to succeed him, facing Alix Desulme. Following a contentious campaign, she narrowly defeated Desulme by fewer than 400 votes, winning 52% of the vote and advancing to the general election, which she won unopposed.
During her first legislative term, Campbell spoke strongly in favor of pro-life legislation, "speaking out against abortion and quoting the Bible,"[2] which prompted fellow Democrat Scott Randolph to remark that he "hoped Campbell enjoyed her two years in the House," implying that he intended to oppose her when she sought re-election. Campbell alleged that during a verbal altercation about the matter, Randolph and Ronald Saunders, the Minority Leader of the Florida House of Representatives, threw things at her, used foul language, and called her a "traitor."[3] However, despite this, she joined with her colleagues in the minority to oppose legislation that provided additional funding to private and virtual schools, instead calling for more money to be invested in public education.[4]
Following the reconfiguration of legislative districts in 2012, Campbell remained in the 108th District, which retained most of the territory that she had represented previously. She was opposed in the primary by Desulme, her 2010 opponent, and Pat Santangelo. Campbell defeated both of them easily, winning 60% of the vote to Desulme's 23% and Santangelo's 17%. She was re-elected in the general election without any opposition.
While serving in the legislature, the Internal Revenue Service announced that the health care business run by Campbell and her husband was being hit with hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax liens, which, in conjunction with the investigation of alleged Medicaid fraud, prompted the Florida Democratic Party to issue a statement, noting, "If true, the rumored allegations against Rep. Campbell are very concerning. Any member of the legislature accused of something this serious should consider stepping down."[5] Additionally, after her husband's minivan received several tickets issued by red-light cameras, Campbell sponsored legislation that would "ban...traffic-surveillance cameras."[6]
References
- ↑ "Medicaid Fraud Probe Focuses On State Lawmaker Campbell". CBS Miami. July 2, 2011. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
- ↑ Derby, Kevin (April 28, 2011). "Florida House Passes Mandatory Ultrasound, Other Pro-Life Bills". Sunshine State News. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
- ↑ Derby, Kevin (May 3, 2011). "Daphne Campbell Demands Apology from Fellow House Dems". Sunshine State News. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
- ↑ Derby, Kevin (May 9, 2011). "Daphne Campbell Solid on Life, but She's No Conservative". Sunshine State News. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
- ↑ Caputo, Marc; Sallah, Michael (July 27, 2012). "South Florida state Rep. Daphne Campbell faces IRS investigation". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
- ↑ Caputo, Marc (February 11, 2013). "Traffic tickets, fraud probes deaths--and state Rep. Daphne Campbell". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
