Clay County voters elect new sheriff, oust school superintendent in primary election

Voters in Clay County selected a new sheriff and ousted the sitting schools superintendent in Tuesday’s Florida Primary.

Republican Superintendent Charlie Van Zant, who was already embroiled in controversy, lost to Addison Davis. Van Zant is facing accusations of plagiarism and inflating graduation rates in Clay.

Davis will go on to the general election to face Rebekah Shively, who has no party affiliation, and write-in candidate Marion Keith Nichols.

Addison Davis will face a no party candidate and a write-in candidate in the general election

Voters elected Darryl Daniels as the new sheriff, as Sheriff Rick Beseler is getting ready to retire.

This will be the first time the county has had a new sheriff in 12 years.

Daniels is now also the first African-American sheriff in the county's history.

Cox Media Group