Florida state Sen. Daphne Campbell, a Democrat who is running for re-election in state’s 38th District, called police on Thursday to report Miami Herald reporter Sarah Blaskey.
NEW: Miami State Sen. Daphne Cambell called the cops on @MiamiHerald‘s @Blaskey_S at a debate today — but according to police reports, this is actually the second reporter Campbell has sicced the cops on in 2018: https://t.co/XZxCTEJsL6
— Jerry Iannelli (@jerryiannelli) August 9, 2018
Blaskey was covering a debate between Campbell and her Democratic opponent Jason Pizzo at the time.
Sen. Daphne Campbell and candidate Jason Pizzo face off over their stances on charter schools in one of the only Q&A forums they have both attended during this race for FL Senate District 38. @daphnecampbell pic.twitter.com/yNH8VGTaJc
— Sarah Blaskey (@Blaskey_S) August 9, 2018
The Miami Herald reported:
A responding North Miami Beach officer who declined to give his name explained that police had been called by Campbell about threats made by a woman in a floral dress — a clear reference to the attire of Herald reporter Sarah Blaskey.
Update: @daphnecampbell called the police on me for “threatening behavior” at this event. Last time I checked, asking questions at a public forum was allowed. Don’t worry guys, cops didn’t think the complaint was credible.
— Sarah Blaskey (@Blaskey_S) August 9, 2018
Campbell did not publicly clarify what “threats” Blaskey allegedly made, and Blaskey said the only thing she is guilty of committing is “an act of journalism.”
Yesterday, I committed an act of journalism. Today, tomorrow, and everyday, I plan to do it again. Consider it premeditated. #FirstAmendment #JournalismIsNotACrime
— Sarah Blaskey (@Blaskey_S) August 10, 2018
The same day that Campbell called police on Blaskey, Rise News published a police report from the Miami Shores Police Department detailing a similar incident that took place in May.
According to that report, Campbell called police to report Rise News publisher Rich Robinson for filming her at a public event in a public place. Police also declined to arrest Robinson.
Follow Virginia on Twitter.