COVID-19 focus boosting Nikki Fried’s ‘national platform’

Nikki Fried
Fried enjoyed almost $1M in earned media over the last week.

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried messaged Monday about how she has “filled the COVID leadership void” and, in doing so, assigned a precise cash value to that messaging.

“In the 6 days since launching her daily briefings, Fried has seen: Over 335 mentions on television, reaching an audience of 6.8 million, with $966,132 in publicity value,” an email from her campaign states.

During her campaign for Governor, Fried has not been shy about discussing Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ “national platform” on the right; amid a hit-or-miss media strategy since launching her gubernatorial campaign, evidence abounds that virus response may be an issue that catches on nationally.

The strategy has been multifaceted, including regular briefings last week at the Capitol and a roadshow this week where Fried promotes water policy and response to the coronavirus. Even an occasional misstep, such as an errant assertion Monday that the Governor was delaying the release of virus data to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, couldn’t get in the way.

In that spirit, an  MSNBC hit Monday evening likely pushed Fried’s earned media value over the million-dollar mark. Fried promoted that from her personal Twitter account, not her official account, seemingly blurring the lines between her official and campaign personae.

Fried, appearing on “The Reid Out,” hit points about the Governor’s virus response that may seem familiar to Floridians’ ears but might have more novelty to a national audience.

She made her case again for an emergency order from DeSantis to “pull down additional funds from the federal government” and bring in federal resources in testing and vaccinations.

“The problem is our Governor has put his head in the sand. He has left the state of Florida and abandoned us,” Fried lamented.

The critiques stayed personal.

“Unfortunately, this Governor is more preoccupied with running for President in 2024 and not taking this seriously.”

Fried dodged a mask mandate question for public schools and localities, saying it “shouldn’t be about mandating masks or not mandating masks. Last year we didn’t have the tool in the shed of vaccinations. We have it now.”

She then returned to dissing the Governor, saying DeSantis “flirts with anti-vaxxers, anti-maskers,” before going on to add that he “flips out during crises” and has “handcuffed” localities and subsidiary governments from “being able to protect their own communities.”

As DeSantis’ followers know, the Governor’s strength isn’t in the novelty of phrase, but platforms to repeat his message and occasionally workshop talking points. Fried has not been afforded that luxury in the same way — yet.

Will coronavirus response turn the tide? The metrics are favorable thus far.

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has been the Northeast Florida correspondent for Florida Politics since 2014. He writes for the New York Post and National Review also, with previous work in the American Conservative and Washington Times and a 15+ year run as a columnist in Folio Weekly. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


9 comments

  • Ed

    August 2, 2021 at 8:12 pm

    I would vote for Gillum before I would vote for that lunatic. Looking forward to her new found wealth when she finally releases her financial records from 2020. By the way what would the Monday Morning Quarterback do any differently? Cant just throw darts. What’s the plan Nikki?

  • Andrew Finn

    August 2, 2021 at 8:54 pm

    Not completely sure of “the plan” she has, but anything she can come up with has got to be better than the Emperor DeSantis has come up with. It seems that DeSantis thinks he is a real doctor, but then again he also thinks he is a real governor !!!!!

    • Matthew Lusk

      August 3, 2021 at 12:39 pm

      Is it Andrew Finn or Andrew Gillum???? Haha busted!

  • Tom

    August 2, 2021 at 9:24 pm

    What a joke.
    Fraud has announced and media refuses to report that she supports not having lockdowns.
    Win for the Governor. And she supports not having mask mandates. I repeat she has c embraced both positions that America’s Governor has implemented for over a year. Enough of the liberal lies. This is truth, Fraud has embraced the Governors position.
    The Dems have nothing to stand on. Period
    The Governor wins! It’s over!

  • Sonja Fitch

    August 3, 2021 at 6:38 am

    Kick ass for the truth Nikki! All the Duffus Desantis’ of the goptrump cult are willingly slaughtering Americans!Now the white man Duffus Desantis is proving the best at mass killings! Pathetic! Get out Duffus Desantis!

    • Charlotte Greenbarg

      August 3, 2021 at 8:01 am

      If S🤡nja loves Nikki, you know how bad it is! 🤪😜

      • Matthew Lusk

        August 3, 2021 at 12:24 pm

        They may be in the same coven!

    • Tom

      August 5, 2021 at 5:00 pm

      Please take your meds earlier!
      You are suffering greatly. Threat to society.

  • Matthew Lusk

    August 3, 2021 at 12:34 pm

    WITCHY WOMAN,. See how HIGH she fl-i-i-ys. Before you blast off on your broom Nikki, tell readers your Personal view on Adultery!

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