Daphne Campbell, former Florida State Senator and State Representative, has received the endorsement of the Miami-Dade Democratic Black Caucus in her campaign for Florida House District 108, giving the veteran Haitian-American politician a significant boost in her bid to return to Tallahassee.
Sponsored by the Daphne D. Campbell Campaign
MIAMI-DADE, Fla. — Former Florida State Senator and State Representative Daphne D. Campbell has received the endorsement of the Miami-Dade Democratic Black Caucus in her campaign for Florida House District 108, giving the veteran Haitian-American politician an important show of support as she seeks a return to Tallahassee.
Announced August 9, the endorsement comes as Campbell’s campaign emphasizes not simply what she promises to accomplish if elected, but what she says she already delivered during nearly a decade in the Florida Legislature.
Campbell, a registered nurse with 45 years of service who made history as the first Haitian American elected to the Florida State Senate, says the endorsement recognizes her experience and previous work on education, healthcare, community development, immigration issues and state appropriations.
“I am deeply honored and truly humbled to receive the endorsement of the Miami-Dade Democratic Black Caucus,” Campbell said, thanking Caucus President Maggy Chery, the endorsement committee and the organization’s members.
“This endorsement strengthens my resolve to continue fighting for the families, seniors, children, small businesses, healthcare professionals, and communities that deserve a strong and effective voice in Tallahassee,” she added.
A Record Her Supporters Want Voters to Remember
Campbell’s central argument in seeking a return to the Florida House is experience. Rather than asking voters to judge her exclusively on campaign promises, she is pointing to a legislative record developed while representing South Florida in both chambers of the Legislature.
According to her campaign, Campbell secured or advocated for millions of dollars in state funding for education, healthcare, infrastructure, universities and community programs. Among the beneficiaries cited are Miami Dade College, Barry University, the Village of El Portal, Farm Share, Early Steps, FAVACA and Girl Scouts, along with Haitian community initiatives and other South Florida programs.
Her familiarity with Florida’s appropriations process could become an important part of her case to District 108 voters. Legislative effectiveness is often measured not only by bills introduced, but by a representative’s ability to navigate Tallahassee and secure resources for the district.
Healthcare was another important component of Campbell’s legislative work. Drawing on her decades as a registered nurse, she advocated for patients, nurses, Medicaid recipients and healthcare professionals. Her campaign also highlights efforts to remove barriers that prevented qualified nursing graduates from taking licensing examinations.
In education, Campbell opposed cuts she believed would hurt public schools and supported reforms intended to protect students and educational opportunities.
She also addressed constituent concerns involving affordable housing, foreclosure assistance, employment, neighborhood safety, seniors and vulnerable families. According to the campaign, she established the District 108 Anti-Crime Task Force to promote community involvement and stronger partnerships around public safety.
For Haitian Americans, Campbell’s previous service carried additional significance. Born in Cap-Haïtien, she became a prominent advocate for Haitian families and immigrant communities and supported the Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program.
Although immigration policy is primarily a federal responsibility, Campbell used her position in Tallahassee to bring greater political attention to issues affecting Haitian immigrants.
Her rise from the Florida House to the Senate also marked an important milestone in Haitian-American political representation. Becoming the first Haitian American elected to the Florida Senate gave Campbell a place in the political history of a community that has steadily increased its influence in South Florida.
Can Campbell’s Experience Send Her Back to Tallahassee?
The Miami-Dade Democratic Black Caucus endorsement allows Campbell to frame her candidacy as more than a political comeback. Her campaign is presenting it as an opportunity to return an experienced legislator to Tallahassee.
“The people of District 108 deserve a representative who knows how to fight, knows how government works, and has already demonstrated the ability to deliver,” Campbell said.
Her current priorities include public education, affordable healthcare, safer communities, affordable housing, support for homeowners and seniors, small-business development, infrastructure, workforce opportunities and advocacy for Haitian-American and immigrant families.
Campbell’s 45-year nursing career remains an important part of that message.
“Being a nurse taught me that every person matters, every family matters, and every community deserves to be heard,” she said. Campbell added that being an entrepreneur and small-business owner taught her the importance of hard work, accountability and creating opportunity.
The Democratic Black Caucus endorsement does not determine the outcome of the District 108 race. Voters will ultimately have to compare Campbell’s experience and record with those of her opponents. But the endorsement provides valuable institutional support from an organization representing an important constituency within Miami-Dade’s Democratic electorate.
It also reinforces the central question Campbell wants voters to consider: Does her previous record in Tallahassee provide a compelling reason to send her back?
Her supporters clearly believe it does.
“I have the experience. I have the record. I have the relationships. And most importantly, I have the heart to serve,” Campbell said.
For Campbell, the message heading into the next phase of the campaign is clear: judge her not only by what she promises to do in Tallahassee, but by what she accomplished when she was there.
