CLAY COUNTY, Fla — Darryl Daniels, the former Clay County sheriff who was acquitted in 2022 of charges related to a public scandal over an affair, will be on the ballot in November as he seeks to regain his place as top cop.
Daniels was removed from position by Gov. Ron DeSantis in August 2020 when he was arrested. He was charged with destroying evidence and giving false statements to police. Prosecutors said he ordered deputies to wrongfully arrest his mistress, wrongfully accusing her stalking him. At his Sept. 2022 trial, a jury found him not guilty of these crimes.
In November's general election, Clay County voters will either decide to stick with incumbent Republican Sheriff Michelle Cook, who replaced Daniels in 2020, or bring back their former sheriff, who is running as non-party affiliated.
In their 2020 contest, Cook received 37 percent of the vote to oust Daniels at 29 percent.
Cook is a 32-year law enforcement veteran, serving with both the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office the Atlantic Beach Police Department.
