Ex-Commissioner Who Quit Over Sexually Demeaning Remark Appears in Aitken Mailer as Key Endorser
Mark Richard Daniels, a former member of the Cultural & Heritage Commission, with Mayor Ashleigh Aitken in November 2025.
By DUANE J. ROBERTS
Editor & Publisher
A recent mailer sent to voters in West Anaheim by Mayor Ashleigh Aitken’s reelection campaign highlights as a key endorser a former city commissioner who was forced to step down after making a sexually demeaning remark about a woman with whom he disagreed.
The endorser, Mark Richard Daniels, served on Anaheim’s Cultural & Heritage Commission as an appointee of former Councilwoman Denise Barnes. He resigned in October 2020 after the comment became the subject of intense public scrutiny and controversy.
Daniels’ name highlighted in yellow.
The story about it first appeared in the Anaheim Independent, a right-wing blog run by Matthew Cunningham, a former consultant with the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce. The website has since been rebranded as the Anaheim Observer, although new content is rarely posted.
Despite its political perspective, the central facts of this controversy were never in dispute. The matter focused on Daniels’ own comments, which were documented on video and later acknowledged in the resignation letter he sent to city officials, including Barnes herself.
According to the Independent, Daniels was recorded during an Anaheim Police operation near Beach Boulevard and Ball Road while speaking with homeless advocate R. Joshua Collins. During the conversation, he made disparaging comments about Jodie Mosley, a homeowner.
The most controversial remark reported by the blog was Daniels’ statement that Mosley was “probably blowing every one of those cops.” The comment drew fierce criticism from West Anaheim residents and prompted calls that he be removed from the commission.
This ultimately led to action by Barnes, who was infuriated with her appointee. In a letter, the councilwoman wrote, “I am deeply offended by what Mr. Daniels said. I do not condone that sort of language, in any circumstances.” She further added he was asked to resign.
Barnes and Daniels in an undated photo.
Daniels subsequently quit and issued a written apology. “I would like to apologize to Jodie Mosley for the pain I have clearly caused her with my words, which have unfortunately been made public …,” he said. “Mrs. Mosley, I am genuinely sorry, and I humbly ask for your forgiveness.”
Barnes, who sought Daniels’ resignation, also appears as an endorser on the same Aitken mailer, along with four others, including Councilman Carlos Leon and Belal Dalati, a businessman who was involved in previous efforts by the Anaheim Chamber to legalize cannabis businesses.
Campaign finance records reveal Daniels has given money to the mayor. A Form 460 filed with the city clerk shows he has contributed approximately $691 since 2022, making him not only a featured supporter but a donor to the committee backing her bid for yet another term.
Last Friday, the Anaheim Investigator contacted Aitken’s campaign team seeking comment on Daniels’ inclusion as an endorser and whether they considered the circumstances surrounding his 2020 resignation when preparing the mailer. So far, we haven’t received any response back.
