Nikki Fried endorses Kelly Smith in House District 38 special election
Image via AP.

Nikki Fried
"Kelly Smith will be a fierce and effective advocate for the citizens of Pasco County."

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried — the only statewide elected Democrat — endorsed Kelly Smith in the House District 38 special election in Pasco County.

Smith is a Democrat running against Republican Randy Maggard in the deep red district.

In her announcement Tuesday, Fried praised Smith for her ongoing commitment to East Pasco County and its families.

“Given her proven leadership record and compassionate volunteerism, Kelly Smith will be a fierce and effective advocate for the citizens of Pasco County,” Fried said in a statement. “As I’ve gotten to know her, it is clear that many of Kelly’s community values are drawn from life experience, both personally and professionally.”

Fried also is the first-ever elected woman Agriculture Commissioner and ran primarily on consumer advocacy in her 2018 campaign. 

Fried also praised Smith for her commitment to education.

“As a parent of three children adopted through foster care, Kelly knows firsthand the impact of funding cuts to our public school system and strongly believes that teachers must be paid salaries that reflect their dedication and hard work,” Fried said.

Smith works as a land use planner in East Pasco County. She’s running on a platform of environmental protection, education and eradicating income inequality.

“She devotes countless hours to serving the homeless and hungry in Pasco because she steadfastly believes the state’s economy must work for all Floridians yet sees that it does not,” Fried said.

“As a legislator in Tallahassee, Kelly will not ignore Pasco’s growing income inequality gap and the rising poverty and food insecurity levels facing so many households.”

Smith and Maggard face off June 18. Some voters have already received vote by mail ballots in the race.

Smith said she was proud of Fried’s work as Agriculture Commissioner: “She and I agree that protecting the working people of Florida should be a high priority and I am grateful for her support,” Smith said.  

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Janelle Irwin Taylor has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in Tampa Bay since 2003. Most recently, Janelle reported for the Tampa Bay Business Journal. She formerly served as senior reporter for WMNF News. Janelle has a lust for politics and policy. When she’s not bringing you the day’s news, you might find Janelle enjoying nature with her husband, children and two dogs. You can reach Janelle at [email protected].



#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Anne Geggis, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Gray Rohrer, Jesse Scheckner, Christine Sexton, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704




Sign up for Sunburn


Categories