Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) stands as the Democratic Party's sole statewide elected official and continues her quest to unseat Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R). Further calling DeSantis an “authoritarian,” Fried is once again making the claim after DeSantis scheduled a cabinet meeting on the same day as the Florida primaries, August 23rd.
Because of the scheduling conflict, Fried is obligated to meet with DeSantis’ Cabinet in Tallahassee while her rival, Florida Rep. Charlie Crist (D) will continue to campaign.
Given that polls show Fried trailing Crist, news of the scheduling conflict threatens Fried’s chances of emerging as the victor.
“His scheduling of it during the Primaries shows his vindictiveness and his authoritarian power struggle with me, and that’s unfortunate that he is playing politics with the business of our state,” Fried said.
Initially, the Cabinet meeting was scheduled for June 28th, but DeSantis canceled it.
Recent polls indicate that Crist is the frontrunner in the race though Fried’s campaign maintains that her candidacy is closer to Crist’s than polls are showing. Support for Democrats across the country is waning given low approval ratings that have struck the Biden administration in recent months. This is due to rising inflation, skyrocketing gas prices and numerous other concerns that worry Americans.
One issue wherein Fried and Governor DeSantis have disagreed on is the COVID vaccines. In recent weeks, DeSantis has been embroiled in controversy regarding the vaccines for children, which Fried addressed this week in a press conference.
“This is a parental choice of what’s best for your kids,” Fried said, adding that “for government to stand in the way of access of information and access of these vaccines is so irresponsible from the governor.”
“It’s unfortunate that I have to be here today filling this void of leadership, but here we are,” Fried concluded.
Parents know what's best for their kids. The government should never stand in the way of critical health information.
That’s why I sadly had to hold a press conference today, to fill this void in leadership: you CAN get you child vaccinated in Florida. pic.twitter.com/Nc7H14NgXP
— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) June 20, 2022
