Nikki Fried to hold presser on ‘vaccine public corruption’
Nikki Fried.

Fried-Press-1
She's already called for a congressional investigation of a pop-up clinic.

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried plans to hold a press conference Thursday on “vaccine public corruption.”

The state’s lone Democratic elected official can be expected to increase the rhetoric around alleged favoritism in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. A press release announcing the vaccine linked to a report in the Miami Herald on the fact all residents age 65 and older at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo received vaccines in January.

Criticism of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ outreach began last month after news broke 3,000 vaccines had been sent for use at a pop-up clinic in Manatee County, but that access would be limited to residents of two ZIP codes in wealthy Lakewood Ranch. At a press conference there, DeSantis rejected accusations the vaccine was being distributed through political donors. A Manatee County commissioner issued a public apology for her role in selecting the site and for asking to be placed on a VIP list to receive a shot.

Since the news first broke of the limited access site in Lakewood Ranch, DeSantis’ procedures for community outreach have come under increased scrutiny. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune has reported on Neal Communities developments in Sarasota and Charlotte counties where community pods served residents.

The Tampa Bay Times also posted an article questioning the selection of a community in Pinellas County receiving vaccines the day after the Lakewood Ranch pop-up clinic was announced. At that event, DeSantis discussed vaccines while surrounded by cheering seniors in line for shots.

It’s also drawn national ridicule. The Daily Show  edited a satirical video referencing Ron DeSantis’ Club Vax, “Make the donations rain and cut to the front of the line to get vaccinated!” a narrator quips.

DeSantis for his part has stressed pop-up clinics were opened based on need, and that recent clinics were set up in areas with a low-percentage of seniors vaccinated compared to the rest of the state. The administration has also stressed it has opened up similar clinics through outreach to Black churches, synagogues and mosques in heavily Democratic areas of the state as well.

Fried has already called for a congressional investigation of the Lakewood Ranch site. She will hold a press conference in the Plaza Level of the Florida Capitol at 11 a.m.

Jacob Ogles

Jacob Ogles has covered politics in Florida since 2000 for regional outlets including SRQ Magazine in Sarasota, The News-Press in Fort Myers and The Daily Commercial in Leesburg. His work has appeared nationally in The Advocate, Wired and other publications. Events like SRQ’s Where The Votes Are workshops made Ogles one of Southwest Florida’s most respected political analysts, and outlets like WWSB ABC 7 and WSRQ Sarasota have featured his insights. He can be reached at [email protected].


2 comments

  • Ocean Joe

    March 4, 2021 at 9:54 am

    The only story here will be if people UNDER 65, received the vaccine early by virtue of their Ocean Reef residency. Otherwise, it may seem offensive, but the rich have always come first and always will.
    The other story is that Desantis could be a reasonably good governor for all Floridians but seems to have taken yet another page from the Trump playbook: satisfy the base and ignore everybody else.

  • Charlotte Greenbarg

    March 5, 2021 at 10:09 am

    Public corruption? Really? Nikki Fried’s engaged to a married man who is in the cannabis business, a business which she tried to get under the control of her office. Oh, and is he still beating you, Nikki? Slither away, woman.

Comments are closed.


#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, William March, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Jesse Scheckner, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

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