Dem Chair Nikki Fried Pitching Republicans to Vote Democrat in CD 1

Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried is ironically pitching Republicans to vote for the Democratic candidate ahead of the 1st Congressional District special election on Tuesday.

"Now I know that most of you probably voted for Donald Trump. But you certainly didn't vote to have your VA benefits cut, veterans being fired from the administration, or even attacks on your social security and healthcare access," Fried said.

Is Nikki Fried trying to persuade some of Florida's 1.3 million veterans here?

CD 1 is located in Florida's western Panhandle and includes all of Escambia, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa counties, as well as portions of Walton county. Democratic challenger Gay Valimont is facing off against Republican Jimmy Patronis.

Patronis was Florida's Chief Financial Officer up until Monday.

The district is largely bright red. Last November, President Donald Trump beat Vice President Kamala Harris in every CD 1 county at or above 59% of the vote.

The seat was previously held by Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz, who resigned from CD 1 after Trump nominated him to be U.S. attorney general.

Gaetz defeated Valimont by 32 points in CD 1 last November. Given the gap, Patronis is the likely heavy favorite heading into tomorrow.

"This is an opportunity to make sure that you have a true fighter in Washington, D.C. Who's gonna stand up against those cuts. And that is Gay Valimont," Fried added.

Nikki Fried also urged Democrats to vote for Valimont tomorrow.

"To our Democrats. This may actually be the most important congressional vote you have ever taken while you live in CD 1," Fried said. "This is our opportunity to protect our veterans, our seniors, our children, and of course our democracy. It is up to us to make sure that Gay Valimont is elected on Tuesday, April 1st. Get out and vote."

Is this a long-shot attempt by Fried? Probably.

But as we saw in a Pennsylvania state Senate race last week, the GOP should take nothing for granted.