Kimberly Daniels is in a battle. But this time, it’s not spiritual warfare with principalities and powers—well, not exactly.
After a much-hyped March 22 election for Jacksonville’s City Council, Daniels, founder of Spoken Word Ministries, an inner-city multi-racial church in Jacksonville, is in a run off with Republican opponent David Taylor.
Daniels, who ran on the Democratic ticket, will continue her battle in a May run off election.
“I ran for City Council because I was convicted to get involved with my city,” Daniels says. “As I walk the streets of Jacksonville, the morale is low. We need bridge builders in government who can connect with the community. We need praying people in the midst of our government.”
Daniels is certainly a praying woman—and at least some of Jacksonville knows that. She broadcasts “25 Minutes of Power!” weekdays at noon on Jacksonville’s Christian radio station. She also runs “Morning Commanders,” a prayer ministry that brings together more than 20,000 prophetic intercessors across the country on morning prayer calls. And she’s known for books like Prayer that Brings Change.
“We need people in office that will lead by example with integrity to make the people of Jacksonville proud and not ashamed,” says Daniels, a veteran of Desert Storm who has a bachelor’s degree in Criminology from Florida State University. “People are trying to use my past against me. But you can never use my testimony against me because that’s what gives me victory.”
Daniels’ opponent could “face discipline by the Florida Supreme Court after a Florida Bar investigation found he violated rules after apparently threatening and taking money from a woman who was divorcing a client he represented,” according to The Florida Times-Union. Daniels’ past includes prostitution and drugs, but she turned her life over to Jesus and now travels internationally with the Gospel.
“I’ve never seen racism like I have in this campaign,” Daniels asserts. “Racism needs to be dealt with in our city and I pray that God will use me to bridge that gap. My city really needs a cleansing from that spirit. The good news is I have more white supporters than black supporters. There are some great people in Jacksonville that are tired of all the prejudice that goes on here. What the devil meant for evil, God is turning around.”
In the March 22 race, Taylor grabbed 47.85 percent of the vote compared to Daniels’ 42.51 percent, according to the Times-Union. Steve Burnett ran independently and conceded defeat after winning less than 10 percent of the vote with nine precincts left, the Times-Union reported.
Will Daniels win in May?
“I’ve already won,” Daniels says. “Whether I win this race or not, I have already won because I have obeyed God. I can’t lose. With everything that I’ve been delivered from, when I got on the ballot I won. If it is my destiny for me to win this race, I’ll be in that seat.”
