DAPHNE CAMPBELL: Former state senator with series of controversies eyeing return to the Florida Legislature. PHOTO COURTESY OF FACEBOOK

By David L. Snelling

Like all mothers who have lost a child to gun violence, former state Sen. Daphne Campbell’s life also descended into a tailspin after her 23-year-old son was slain in 2021.

Jason Campbell had dropped off his mother at the airport for her business trip to Texas and on the ensuing day was killed by gunfire.

Campbell, a Haitian American, said the

woman who pulled the trigger while her son was asleep is in prison as she awaits trial.

She said her son was murdered over a misunderstanding: The woman thought he was a romantic rival to her girlfriend and shot him in a jealous rage.

“They were just friends, nothing more,” Campbell said. “Parents shouldn’t have to bury their kids. Kids are supposed to bury their parents.”

After the tragedy, Campbell started an antigun foundation named for her son to implement programs to take guns off the streets and help parents of murdered children to cope.

The registered nurse of more than 40 years said the only solution to gun violence is gun reform, which is driving her to seek a return to the Florida Legislature.

According to the Florida Division of Elections, Campbell has filed paperwork to run for House District 108 in 2025.

She and Dinah Escarment, both Democrats, are seeking to replace state Rep. Dotie Joseph (D-North Miami) who’s termlimited.

The district encompasses northeast Miami-Dade County including all of Biscayne Park, El Portal and Miami Shores Village; and portions of North Miami and Miami, including parts of Little Haiti and Wynwood.

The area is a Democratic stronghold and has a majority African American and Caribbean population, according to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau.

Campbell said she was among the most effective state lawmakers and it’s time for her to return to Tallahassee to address some major issues including gun violence.

She said Florida becoming a permit-less carry state has fueled weapon injuries and deaths among many youths.

The House passed a bill this year to roll back the minimum age requirement to purchase a rifle from 21 to 18, but the Senate placed its version on hold.

Gun restriction advocates including Campbell have urged keeping rifles out of the hands of 18-year-olds after the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting massacre that killed 17 students and teachers and severely wounded 17 others.

“For gun violence, we need some constraints,” Campbell said. “We can’t continue to lose so many lives. Guns are in the hands of the wrong people because they don’t need a permit to carry a gun. Gun reform needs to be addressed.”

Healthcare, education and programs for at-risk youths are also the focus of Campbell’s political platform.

She said during her stints in Tallahassee, she’s been instrumental in roughly $4 billion in appropriations.

Cambell said the district and constituents are experiencing a decline in funds and services.

“Since I left office, constituents have been complaining that they don’t get any money for services,” she said. “You can’t represent your district without bringing in money to resolve the issues.”

Lack of affordable housing has also impacted South Florida, Campbell said.

She said the rates for two-bedroom, two bath apartments are as high as $3,500 per month.

Campbell said her district needs rent relief, especially for senior citizens who live on a fixed income.

She said lawmakers have failed to address soaring rental rates for the past four years.

“We need someone to fight for the voiceless,” she said.

Despite her successful track record in Tallahassee, Campbell was caught up in a series of controversies.

In 2011, she co-sponsored legislation to block public disclosures of dangerous group homes.

She and her husband previously operated a group home business, but the location closed following the deaths of three patients, the rape of another and poor living conditions that prompted the state to pull its funding, according to the Miami Herald.

Two years later, after her husband had five red-light camera violations, Campbell filed legislation to ban their use. She denied knowing about her husband’s tickets.

By 2016, she’d had 10 foreclosures filed against property she owned.

After Hurricane Irma struck in 2017, Campbell made headlines when it was revealed that she called a Florida Power & Light lobbyist to get the lights turned back on at her home and the homes of family members.

She sought the special treatment ostensibly to help her “sick mom,” except her mother had died 20 years before.

Campbell denied all of the accusations and declined further comment.

Escarment couldn’t be reached for an interview.