Florida Department of Agriculture head Nikki Fried is officially running for governor. The state's only statewide elected Democrat filed papers with the Department of Elections on Tuesday that showed she plans to take on incumbent Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022.
Fried has been an outspoken critic of DeSantis since they both took office in 2019. She's long been expected to challenge the governor for his seat, and the paperwork shows that Fried plans to do just that. Eight Democrats, two independents and two Republicans have filed to run, notably not including DeSantis.
Fried announced her candidacy, shortly after news broke of her filing.
It’s time to break the rigged, corrupt system in Florida with #SomethingNew.
— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) June 1, 2021
That’s why I’m running for Governor.
Join us at https://t.co/pSDjoC7HWW. pic.twitter.com/Vzb1MnBuSB
All that preparing hasn't cooled her dislike for the current admin in Tallahassee. She railed against the governor just this morning over his signing of a hateful, anti-transgender bill on the first day of Pride Month.
By signing a heartless ban on transgender kids in sports, @GovRonDeSantis is marginalizing an entire community.
— Commissioner Nikki Fried (@NikkiFriedFL) June 1, 2021
Signing it on the first day of #Pride2021 is especially cruel.
Florida should stand for inclusivity, equality, and liberty — not peddling hate for political points.
Fried's biggest competition from her own side of the aisle (so far) will be Charlie Crist. The former governor (and ex-Republican) announced he was challenging DeSantis as a Democrat last month.
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