CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Sheriff-Elect, Michelle Cook, to start her term early on Tuesday.
Action News Jax first told you three weeks ago when former Sheriff Darryl Daniels was arrested and charged after a sex scandal investigation just days before the primary election.”
Regardless of the election, the facts were the facts,” Governor DeSantis said on Tuesday. “I had to take action.”
NEXT AT 5: Michelle Cook's message to the people of Clay Co. in response to the former Sheriff Darryl Daniels sex scandal investigation @actionewsjax pic.twitter.com/ViC2NO6GV2
— Meghan Moriarty (@MeghanANjax) September 1, 2020
DeSantis suspended Daniels the week of the primary election. Sheriff-Elect, Michelle Cook, won the republican ticket, and since her only opposition withdrew from the race, she automatically wins the November race.”
Anybody who watched the campaign knew how hard our team was working every single day. And we earned this. We earned this,” Cook said when confronted about circumstances surrounding the election.
Cook collected 37% of the votes in the Republican primary, defeating Daniels. He’s facing four charges, including felony tampering with evidence and making false reports to police.
Action News Jax reporter, Meghan Moriarty, asked Cook for her response to the people of Clay County who may feel betrayed by the former Sheriff’s actions.
”To the citizens of Clay County, I look forward to serving you with honor and integrity,” Cook said. “I have 28 years in law enforcement. I’ve worked every day to do things right, to do things better.”
Cook is expected to be sworn in late Tuesday during a private ceremony.
Cox Media Group
