JACKSONVILLE, FL — JACKSONVILLE, FL — The Duval County Democratic Party has elected Millie Leeds as its new Chair during a special meeting of the Executive Committee held on June 22, 2026.

Leeds was elected unanimously by the Executive Committee and succeeds Daniel Henry, who announced earlier this month that he would step down after more than a decade of service in party leadership, including seven years as Chair. During Henry’s tenure, the Duval County Democratic Party experienced significant organizational growth and helped deliver major Democratic victories at the local and state level, including the election of Donna Deegan as Mayor of Jacksonville and Duval County going blue for President Joe Biden. Henry will continue to serve as First Vice Chair of the Florida Democratic Party.

A lifelong Northeast Florida resident, Leeds currently serves as Second Vice Chair of the Duval County Democratic Party and previously served as President of the Jacksonville Young Democrats, Press Secretary, and Northeast Regional Director for the Florida Young Democrats. Her Democratic organizing experience includes work on local, state, and national campaigns, including Lakesha Burton’s historic campaign for Sheriff and the 2024 Harris-Walz campaign in Florida.
“I am deeply honored by the trust that members of the Duval County Democratic Party have placed in me,” said Leeds. “This organization is filled with dedicated volunteers, passionate activists, and community leaders who care deeply about the future of Duval County. My goal is to build the infrastructure that allows us to fully harness that energy and build a party that is positioned to win in 2026 and, more importantly, in 2027.”

Leeds emphasized that the party’s success will depend on creating a stronger volunteer and leadership pipeline throughout the county.

“For too long, political organizations have often been forced to focus on one voter-contact effort at a time,” Leeds continued. “By building a stronger foundation today, we can create the capacity to run multiple programs simultaneously—from canvassing and phone banking to texting, postcard writing, digital outreach, and candidate support. The future of our party depends on building a larger, more connected team that can engage voters in every neighborhood of Duval County.”

Outgoing Chair Daniel Henry congratulated the newly elected DEC Chair with the following statement:

“The Duval County Democratic Party is in capable hands. After more than a decade of service in party leadership, I believe this is the right time to pass the baton. Millie has demonstrated a deep commitment to Democratic values and grassroots organizing throughout her years of service, and I’m confident she is prepared to build on the progress we have made while bringing renewed energy, focus, and discipline to the work ahead.”