As the 2022 Democratic gubernatorial primary begins to unfold Florida State Senator Annette Taddeo (D) is now slamming Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) for comments she made when asked how she engages with Hispanic voters.
In an interview with Telemundo, Commissioner Fried was asked how she engages with Hispanic voters, and her response has drawn criticism. In response to the question, Commissioner Fried said, “I talk slow.”
This angered state Senator Taddeo over the weekend, and she immediately took to social media to comment on Fried’s response.
Let’s get something straight, U don’t need to “talk slow” to share your message with Hispanic voters
Here’s the truth: We’ve let R’s get away with lies about who we are w/ Hispanics. A Spanish-speaking Hispanic businesswoman who can push back on their lies, that’s #somethingnew https://t.co/427j5fJx9w
— Annette Taddeo (She/Her/Ella) (@Annette_Taddeo) February 11, 2022
“Let’s get something straight, U don’t need to ‘talk slow’ to share your message with Hispanic voters,” wrote Taddeo, adding that “here’s the truth: We’ve let R’s get away with lies about who we are w/ Hispanics.”
She concluded by reminding voters that she herself is “a Spanish-speaking Hispanic businesswoman who can push back on their lies,” calling it “something new.”
Republicans have also pounced at the opportunity to criticize Fried as a message from the Republican Governors Associations provided comments on the exchange between Taddeo and Fried.
The message cites an alleged transgression where Fried altered her website, which “was Liberal in English,” and it was accused of being “moderate in Spanish.”
The issue is explored in a Newsweek article, which explained that Fried “touts being an advocate for criminal justice reform, taking on the NRA, and fighting to protect the environment.” However, the article goes on to say that “all of that was missing from her Spanish-language website.”
Taddeo is currently traveling across Florida, visiting every county in the Sunshine State to drive home the message that she is working for all Floridians. Florida Rep. Charlie Crist (D) is also running for Governor, but he has yet to comment on the exchange between the Democratic lawmakers.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), who has been involved in an ongoing rivalry with Fried, has not provided comments, and he often disregards his opponents’ candidacies when asked about his challengers.
