Featured

Fried Running for Florida Democratic Party Chair

Share

Former Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) is seeking the Florida Democratic Party Chair. After it was reported last week that Democrats wanted Fried as the Florida Democratic Party chair, the former gubernatorial candidate has now announced that she will run for the position.

Fried vacated the Agriculture Commissioner position to run for Florida Governor. However, Fried was defeated by Florida Rep. Charlie Crist (D) in the primary.

Since being defeated, Fried had reaffirmed her stance of wanting to help Democrats defeat Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) and Republicans in the sunshine state. Now, Fried enters a race with four other Democrats that will determine the future of Florida's Democratic Party.

Fried took part in an afternoon call on Sunday with an estimated 60 Democrats, announcing her intention to run for the position and urging for support.

"My decision is not one made lightly," Fried commented to POLITICO's Florida Playbook. "It comes after months of listening to friends, advisors and Democrats across the state. Florida Democratic Party Chair was not the path I had originally envisioned for myself, but too much is at stake to sit on the sidelines - from women's rights, economic opportunity and climate change to affording housing, protecting our democracy and education," she added.

Also vying for the position is Florida state Senator Annette Taddeo (D), who unsuccessfully ran against both Fried and Crist in the Democratic primary. Taddeo has already amassed a number of endorsements from prominent Democrats in the state like Florida Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D), Darren Soto (D) and Anna Eskamani (D) along with endorsements from other leaders like Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

Some in the party however have sought different leadership, and they joined forces to send a letter to Fried, asking her to join the race.

The race for the position comes after Mayor Manny Diaz (D) resigned from the position after the 2022 election.

Fried commented that Democrats will "rededicate ourselves to voter registration, training and growing our progressive coalitions. I am determined to rebuild the trust of national committees and I will dedicate the full weight of the party to qualify candidate recruitment and to reforming our antiquated weighted voted system and bylaws which too often exclude rather than include."

Fried originally told The Floridian that she would not seek to lead her political party, but has since changed her mind.

Daniel Molina

Daniel Molina is an award-winning senior reporter based in Miami. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Florida International University.

Recent Posts

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava mourns loss of two PBSO deputies, another injured in traffic crash

MIAMI - Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava offered her condolences on Thursday after two…

1 day ago

Bipartisan Bilirakis Congenital Heart Disease Research Bill Becomes Law

A bipartisan bill introduced by Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) to reauthorize research into congenital heart…

1 day ago

Senate Rejects Blocking Arms Sales to Israel Despite Over One Third of Democrat Support

The US Senate has rejected a resolution led by Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) to block…

1 day ago

FL Surgeon General Ladapo Issues Warning Over Fluoride in Public Water

Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo has officially issued guidance recommending against fluoride statewide, citing…

1 day ago

‘Madness’: Scott Blasts DHS for Border App

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) criticized President Joe Biden (D) and Vice President Kamala Harris (D)…

1 day ago

Bean Discusses DOGE Caucus, Says It Will Grow as Waste is Uncovered

Earlier this week, Representative Aaron Bean (R-FL) launched the Congressional Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)…

1 day ago