Florida Agricultural Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) has been a sharp critic of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), which has led many to believe that Fried is preparing to launch a gubernatorial bid. She will be. After Florida Rep. Charlie Crist (D) announced his own bid, and after Florida Rep. Val Demings (D) chose to challenge Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R) for his Senate seat instead, many Floridians are left wondering if Crist will be facing a primary opponent. He will.
Although Fried has not confirmed if she’ll be launching a campaign for Florida Governor, she did release a video earlier this month previewing a major announcement on June 1st. Though she’s not commenting on her future political aspirations, she has commented that it “makes sense” for her to be exploring a potential candidacy.
The video released earlier this month did not specify if she would be making an announcement on June 1stregarding her candidacy, but it did heavily imply it. Moreover, this week, Harvey Oyer III, president of the Forum Club, asked Fried if she would like to comment on the rumors circulating her 2022 candidacy.
“You’re going to have to wait for June 1 for that,” she responded, specifying that “certainly, as our only statewide elected Democrat, it makes sense for me to be talking about running for Governor.”
In speaking about Governor Ron DeSantis’ time in office, Fried expressed that “unfortunately, I have seen – up close and personal – heartbreaking stories that I could tell about this current administration not caring about the people” and “not putting them first.”
When it comes to what she would like to see Florida accomplish, she noted that she has “a dream to make Florida the Silicon Valley of the east when it comes to agriculture, bringing in new innovation from across the country” and “from across the world.”
She concluded by saying she has done what “is right for the state” in her current positions, “and you’ll see on June 1 what the next phase will be.”
