A.G. Gancarski
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried had a national platform Friday night to discuss Florida and COVID-19.
The 2022 Democratic candidate for Governor took full advantage of Friday’s ruling by the 2nd Judicial Circuit to strike down school mask mandate prohibitions by the Gov. Ron DeSantis administration. Fried said she anticipated other school boards to feel emboldened to pass mask requirements as they saw fit.
“I’m hoping that the rest of the school board members scared of retribution from what DeSantis and our Secretary of Education (Richard Corcoran) was spouting the last couple of weeks will feel empowered to do right again by their kids and their communities,” Fried said on MSNBC’s The Reid Out.
Fried’s presence on national TV came on the same day grim metrics were released showing a record rate of confirmed COVID-19 deaths and cases, with children under 12 the leading demographic of new cases.
“Record numbers of children under 12. That’s the largest group with cases right now, is under 12 years old. And he’s going around and threatening school board members, taking his victory tour and blaming President Biden for this,” Fried said.
“Our teachers are afraid to be in the classroom. Our parents are stuck with this impossible situation of whether or not to put their kids back in school or keep them at home. What do they do for work?”
“This is a crisis,” Fried said, “and I’m heartbroken that our state has to go through this today.”
Nevertheless, Fried kept it pro forma in criticisms of the departing Surgeon General Scott Rivkees, saying he was “MIA for a good part of over a year” and contending “the fact that he’s resigning is not going to change anything, because (Rivkees) has not been here.”
COVID-19 messaging has been on several tracks for Fried. She has stepped up her news conference schedule as a counterweight to DeSantis on coronavirus, and her campaign is attempting to parlay that earned media into campaign lucre.
“Make no mistake — our fight is far from over. DeSantis will appeal this court decision. He’s willing to put our children at risk to score political points. That’s why throughout this crisis, I’ve stepped up to do his job for him,” Fried wrote. “I’m doing everything above and beyond my position as Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services because in times of crisis, you deserve support from your leaders, and you deserve the facts.”
Fried has claimed for some weeks that she has “filled the COVID leadership void” and that she is functionally the Governor.
Earlier this summer, she said DeSantis’ “national platform” was her “greatest weakness” as a candidate. Although her fundraising is way behind DeSantis and Democratic opponent Rep. Charlie Crist, her campaign advisers have gone on record predicting that she will win the primary by more than double digits.
This week, Fried brought aboard a Biden fundraising alum, showing that she is serious about getting her money right. Alicia Pardo, who was the southeast regional finance director for the 2020 Biden presidential run, will be a finance consultant for Fried’s bid.
14 comments
Impeach Biden
August 27, 2021 at 8:19 pm
Look at the Governor of Oregon. Is that what you want in the state of Florida? No thanks.
I’ll take DeSantis.
Susan
August 27, 2021 at 8:25 pm
DeSantis is going to appeal today’s ruling with the hope he’ll get a pass to continue killing.
Impeach Biden
August 27, 2021 at 8:56 pm
Killing who? Meanwhile in Afghanistan. Did you know that the last single day loss of military personnel before yesterday was 10 years ago..Google “Extortion 17”. You might learn something. Brave men and women over there protecting your sorry ass so you can spew your BS. GOOGLE IT and learn. Oh by the way, who was the VP ten years ago? Lots of blood on Biden’s hand.
Tom Palmer
August 28, 2021 at 12:44 am
They are brave people, but they were sent on a fool’s errand. Biden opposed the war when he was VP, but was overruled. Now he’s getting us out before more Americans die.
Evan Miller
August 29, 2021 at 2:26 pm
Like the thousands left behind?
Frankie M.
August 28, 2021 at 2:03 am
Didn’t Trump set the timetable for withdrawal in motion? Does he have blood on his hands too or is he exempt?
agapito
August 29, 2021 at 2:49 pm
Really and who start the war? Hoooo wait it was long time ago.
Frankie M.
August 28, 2021 at 2:04 am
Public schools (not charters) 1: Mouthbreathers 0.
Frankie M.
August 28, 2021 at 2:11 am
For a guy who went to Harvard Law DeSantis sure doesn’t know much about the law. Makes you wonder if his heart’s really into it. He’s either disinterested or incompetent. Most likely it’s a lil of both.
Richard Hoard
August 28, 2021 at 6:02 am
Work for 2-3 hours 1n your spare OO time and get paid $1200 0n y0ur bank acc0unt every week…
Get more information 0n f0ll0wing site…. http://moneystar7.gq/
Perjury is a Crime
August 28, 2021 at 7:14 am
Where is that 2020 financial disclosure due July 1?
Sonja Fitch
August 28, 2021 at 8:41 am
Duffus Desantis is a damn drug dealer! One hundred fifty million from big pharma in 3 years! Boy wants and will do whatever for his own political bs! Lock of this damn criminal trying to kill Floridians and our children Duffus Desantis!
Matthew Lusk
August 28, 2021 at 2:42 pm
GIRL BOSS! Told you she was a witch rebelling against GOD. Women like NIKKI are pathetic. Living with someone else’s husband. Receiving illegal campaign contributions. PUSSY POWER femi- nazis are all about two things: Applause and PENIS ENVY?
Ken
August 29, 2021 at 12:29 pm
Interferring with a proven safety measure(masks) and promoting Regeneron after people are sick is some serious backscratching for big donors
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