Atlantic Beach Police Chief Michelle Cook has joined a crowded field looking to become Clay County’s next sheriff.
Cook, a Republican, signed paperwork Wednesday to run,according to the Clay County Supervisor of Elections website.
Embattled incumbent Republican Sheriff Darryl Daniels is facing a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation surrounding an extramarital affair with a subordinate officer when he worked at the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
As of Thursday afternoon, Daniels had not filed to run for re-election or announced whether he will pursue a second term.
Other Candidates Running For Clay County Sheriff
Cook will be facing off against other law enforcement veterans, including Republican Ben Carroll, who is a retired emergency management specialist/SWAT team member at the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, according to his Facebook page.
Former FDLE agent Mike Taylor, also a Republican, is running again following a failed run for sheriff in 2008.
Republican Harold Rutledge is a former Clay County commissioner who also has a long history in the criminal justice field.
Retired Navy Chief Catherine Webb is also running as a Republican.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.