Duval County Democratic Party Chair Daniel Henry is one of two candidates running for the Florida Democratic Party Vice Chair position at the end of the month.
He has helmed the Duval Democrats since 2019, when he became the youngest chair in the local party’s history. His county has also been one of few bright spots for his party in Florida in recent history. Democrat Donna Deegan was elected Jacksonville's first woman mayor in 2023 at a time where Republicans are surging statewide.
Henry told WFSU he wants to take what has worked in his county to the state party.
“Many times, before the 2016 election, Duval was really seen as an afterthought, but since then, it has become a place that all candidates have established or tried to propel their campaigns in Florida politics. And I really see this as an opportunity for me to be able to replicate some of the successes that we've had in Duvall across the state,” he said.
He said he believes the Florida Democrats should focus on winning local races at a time when they are falling even farther behind in top-of-ticket and state legislature races. He argues that would build a stronger candidate pipeline and build trust.
“I think that's where the ultimate focus really needs to be, ensuring that we're building a bench, that we're showing Democrats in cities and communities across the state what it means to be a Democrat, and what it means in terms of providing everyday voters and neighbors a better life and a better shared experience. That is the way that I think we're going to be able to truly get to a point where Democrats run statewide, and we can be successful because we've shown across the state what it means to have a Democrat in leadership,” he said.
Since Democrats performed poorly in Florida during the 2024 elections, arguments about what ideological and strategic direction the party should take have dominated public conversations from some of the party’s most influential leaders. Henry said the party needs to stay big tent, being open to Democrats on all ends of the political spectrum as well as collaborating with more like-minded outside advocacy groups.
“In order for us to be able to be a successful party, we have to be one that not only embraces moderate voices, but also progressive voices as well. There's no way for us to be able to be successful if we don't see both of them coming together,” he said.
20-year-old Tallahassee State College student Jayden D'Onofrio is also running for the job. The election for Florida Democratic Party Vice Chair will be on Jan. 25. It will be decided by state Democrat committee people, as well as other party figures.