Daphne Campbell

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.

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 anti-abortion 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 responded "You have no right. God put me here."^[3] Campbell alleged that during a verbal altercation about the matter, Randolph and Ron Saunders, the Minority Leader of the Florida House of Representatives, threw things at her, used foul language, and called her a "traitor."^[4] Campbell was also the only Florida House Democrat to vote in favor of a bill mandating a 24-hour waiting period to obtain an abortion and co-sponsored legislation banning workplace pregnancy discrimination.^[5] 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.^[6]

In 2012, Campbell's family business was subject to an investigation by the IRS, with the agency applying liens totaling $145,000.00 on her and her husband after former business partners claimed the couple had scammed them. Campbell denied the existence of the liens to the Tampa Bay Times.^[7]

In the past, Campbell and her husband ran group homes for those with mental and physical health issues. However, the state removed their state funding after three patients died, one was raped, and others lived in squalor. The group home was shut down afterward. In 2011, she co-sponsored a bill to block public disclosure of dangerous group homes.^[8]

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.

In 2013, after her husband's minivan received several tickets issued by red-light cameras, Campbell sponsored legislation opposing traffic-surveillance cameras.^[9]