It’s the last day of the 2021 legislative session and Agricultural Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is on the verge of officially announcing her run for governor in the 2022 mid-term election, has called Republicans fascist in her newest campaign assault against Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican Party.
In another campaign video released moments ago, Commissioner Fried channeled the Far-left, Democratic Socialist Bible and referred to the Republican Party as “a hot mess that has descended into fascism.”
“Republicans are trying to kill “vote by mail, overturn elections, suppress votes and even block stimulus checks,” said Fried, adding, It’s not a party anymore, it’s a hot mess that has descended into fascism.”
Fried, who has also accused Republicans of committing voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election, made her remarks as the Republican-led legislature has passed the voter integrity SB 90 bill that would limit ballot drop boxes to early voting hours.
Another prominent state Democrats like State Sen. Shevrin Jones (D) have also voiced their disapproval of the bill.
“It’s pathetic that Governor DeSantis spends his time doubling down on his disingenuous attack on basic civil rights and human dignity on FOX News,” said Shevrin, asserting that “the last thing Floridians need is more racist dog whistles, yet the Governor has shown time and again that he would rather fan the flames of division with dangerous rhetoric than prioritizing the real issues Florida cares about.”
Growing up, my dad was a strong Republican, but the way the GOP has gone — this isn’t my father’s Republican Party anymore.
Elected Republicans have descended into facism. #DropTheGOP pic.twitter.com/TW3qm837KC
— Nikki Fried (@nikkifried) April 30, 2021
"That bill that was passed in the state just north of us sent us a message, and the response to that bill should let us know we should not be doing this," Democratic state Rep. Michael Greico said during House debate, adding, "Please do not Georgia my Florida."
According to CNN, “The legislation cuts access to drop boxes by limiting their use to early voting hours unless they are located at election supervisors' offices. All drop boxes must always be staffed in person by election supervisors' office workers if they are in use. The bill also requires supervisors to set and publish drop box locations 30 days before the election. Those locations cannot be moved for any purpose.”
Gov. DeSantis appeared on Fox News Thursday night to say the “for sure” he would be signing SB 90 into law at his earliest opportunity.
"We've had voter ID. It works. It's the right thing to do," DeSantis said, adding that Florida's 2020 election was "fair and transparent, and the reforms we have coming will make it even better."
Fried is trying to garner the support of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, but that campaign strategy could alienate the millions of moderate Democratic and Independent voters that voted against Democratic Socialism in 2020 and the message that Republicans were the party of fascism.
Rep. Charlie Crist (D), who is also seriously considering a run for governor in 2022, also appears to be using progressive talking points as he prepares to enter the Democratic primary race for governor.
