Although a new poll indicates that Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) is overtaking Florida Rep. Charlie Crist (D), the lone statewide elected officer is still maneuvering through controversy. Slamming firebrand Rep. Matt Gaetz as "dangerous for our country," Fried further attempted to distance herself from the Florida Republican
Since announcing her intentions to challenge Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), Fried has faced scrutiny over her alleged association with Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (R). For Democrats, Gaetz is persona non grata amidst an investigation into potential sex crimes. Moreover, the Florida Republican has been criticized over recent comments.
During a campaign stop, a reporter asked Fried if she’s still friends with Gaetz. Fried sharply responded that she was not, saying that Gaetz has left her “speechless because he has turned into a direction that is dangerous for our country.”
Fried further commented that “the things that he spews – going after women on abortion issues, supporting an insurrectionist – this is not the person I knew when he was here in the Legislature, and I’m disappointed that he’s become a character, and unfortunately he’s dangerous.”
Both Gaetz and Fried worked together on legislation regarding medical marijuana when Fried was a lobbyist and when Gaetz was in the Legislature.
Fried’s Republican associations don’t stop there.
During the first gubernatorial debate between Fried and her Democratic rival Florida Rep. Charlie Crist (D), Crist criticized Fried for having donated to Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) 2017 campaign.
Moody serves on the Cabinet with Fried, and supports Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R).
Commissioner Fried has attempted to distance herself from Gaetz since the beginning of her campaign, but questions regarding her association with Gaetz have persisted. With the August 23rd primary day looming, Fried is making the case that Floridians should give "something new" a chance.
Regarding DeSantis, Fried commented this week that "“to him, freedom means anything and saying anything that would get him on Fox News. But if you don’t look like him, you don’t sound like him, you don’t act like him, you’re totally screwed."
