Daryl Parks is an attorney in Tallahassee
By Ava Van Valen and WCTV Staff
Published: Aug. 14, 2024 at 9:44 PM EDT
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - As the Florida primary and November elections barrel toward Sunshine State voters, WCTV is helping you prepare.
We reached out to candidates across the region to hear why they are running for office and what distinguishes them from their competitors.
Click here to see our full Election Guide. Continue reading to see responses to our questions.
What inspired you to run for this seat?
My life’s work has been fighting for the people against the powerful – that means fighting for opportunity and giving a voice to those who have nowhere else to turn. Right now in Florida, we’re seeing fewer opportunities for hard working families in North Florida. Not enough people are speaking up for them in the State Capitol. The cost of housing, insurance, gas and groceries have all skyrocketed while $900 million have been drained from North Florida’s public schools as a result of legislation Corey Simon wrote and passed into law. And, the refusal to expand Medicaid means no affordable healthcare for many families and billions of our hard earned federal tax dollars going to other states instead of coming back home. It’s clear North Florida needs a voice that will say let’s stop the made up culture wars and start fighting the problems that are making it harder and harder for folks in North Florida who work hard every day and can barely get by. I’m ready to be that voice. I always have been.
What past experiences have prepared you for this role? Why are you qualified?
My life and professional experiences have prepared me well for this position. I grew up experiencing what families across North Florida are going through today as they struggle with rising housing and insurance costs, less funding for our public schools and healthcare that cost far too much. I was raised by my mother and grandmother who taught me at an early age that hard work makes anything possible. Hard work is how I became the first in my family to attend college and, then, a successful small businessman and civil rights attorney. The issues North Florida families are facing are not new to me. That’s why I know how important it is for us to have real, capable leadership in the Capitol speaking up for North Floridians. In the courtroom, I’ve fought and won against powerful interests who defrauded and abused everyday Floridians. When the message we get out of Corey Simon and his big shot friends is that an imaginary culture war is more important than money in our pockets, our basic freedoms, funded schools, affordable healthcare, then, we know a fraud is being perpetrated against Floridians. I’m a fighter who knows how to win and I’m ready to get to work fighting back against the rigged system that our so-called state leaders have set up to benefit the powerful and make it much harder for everyday people to get ahead.
What are the five most important issues for you to tackle in this role, if elected?
The most important issues for me if elected are the same issues I talk to voters everyday about. First, we have to tackle rising costs that are making family paychecks smaller and smaller. Specifically, I want to crack down on skyrocketing insurance costs. Second, I want to work to reverse the impacts of Corey Simon’s legislation, which took $900 million dollars out of our public schools. I want to fight for more resources in our schools because I think it makes more sense to invest in our children and teachers instead of spending millions fighting book bans in court. Third, I want to fight to expand Medicaid. North Florida families need affordable healthcare. It makes no sense to turn away billions of dollars in healthcare funding for our state and watch our tax dollars go to help other states. And, fourth, we must protect the basic healthcare freedom we all have a right to and that means ensuring women and their doctors are in control of their reproductive health and not politicians. Finally, I want to bring some common sense to our gun laws. Common sense tells us we can protect our constitutional rights without reckless permit less carry laws that make it easier for violent criminals to carry guns without background checks, training or permits. I had to earn my concealed carry permit. That’s the way it should be for everyone.
What would you do differently from your opponent(s) in this role?
I’d actually be a voice for the North Florida families. I’m going to fight everyday to actually help the people I work for instead of inventing culture wars. I want to work on policies that put more money in your pocket instead of handing billions of tax dollars to insurance companies and their big-shot lobbyists. On day one, I will lead the fight to get insurance and everyday costs under control. It means expanding Medicaid. It means putting more money into public schools instead of taking it away. I have the track record and experience to fight against the fraud and abuse happening against everyday Floridians due to horrible policy and the rigged system in the State Capitol. Most importantly, I have the courage to simply say it’s unacceptable and together we can do the work required to make life better for working families.
What makes you the best candidate for this seat over your opponent(s)?
I have the track record and experience necessary to be the voice we need right now for the hard working families of North Florida. On so many issues from rising costs to unaffordable health care, Corey Simon has become a big part of the problem the moment he walked into the Capitol – he’s either been silent on issues costing us our money, freedoms and security or, even worse, Simon has used his position to pass laws that set working families back, like taking millions of dollars out of our public schools. North Florida wants action now. They want a champion who will speak up and fight for them. Corey Simon has proven that he clearly is not ready to help hard working people. He’s the problem and it’s time for him to go.
What’s the important message you have for voters?
My important message is that I hear you and I see you. I will always fight for the people against the powerful because I have been where you are. I know what it’s like to fight and overcome and to feel frustrated when you don’t see that same fight in your elected officials – who work for you! I’ve fought and I’ve won and I’m ready to be the champion for you that Corey Simon refuses to be.
Why should people vote in the August primary election?
Because every election matters and with all the challenges we have facing us across North Florida and the country, now is just not the time to sit it out. And, people should vote because there are real differences in this election and, specifically, this campaign for State Senate. I’m ready to lead on the issues most important to real people, who just want solutions and a fair chance to get ahead. I have the experience to get things done and I have the courage to say we should put what’s actually hurting you and your family ahead of imaginary political culture wars. The choice could not be more clear and now, more than ever, we need to make our voices heard.
What are three things you hope to accomplish by the end of your term?
Cut cost of living and slash insurance rates. Affordable healthcare for every family, protect reproductive freedom for women and families. Fully fund our local public schools.
Editor’s note: Republican Corey Simon is running unopposed and therefore will not be in the Florida Primary Election on August 20. Simon will face either Parks or Kimblin NeSmith in the November election.
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