Ron DeSantis blasts ‘lockdowner’ Nikki Fried ahead of Cabinet meeting
Conflict for Governor, Commish.

DeSantis Fried 3.25.21
Fried calls DeSantis a 'tyrant.' He shoots back on national TV.

Before a Cabinet meeting in Tallahassee Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis appeared on Fox and Friends, where he offered some General Election messaging — and a few zingers aimed at one of his potential opponents.

Asked about Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried claiming he’s a “tyrant,” DeSantis was again dismissive, painting the only Democrat on the Florida Cabinet as an obstructionist who wants to “indoctrinate” children.

“We stood in the way of ‘lockdowners’ like Nikki Fried, who opposed every decision that I made, to protect people’s rights,” DeSantis said. “When she says that you don’t have freedom of speech in the classroom, here’s what she means. She means she wants to use our schools to indoctrinate students into her ideology.”

The Governor was responding to comments Fried made in Orlando Monday; she called DeSantis a “tyrant … taking away freedoms” such as a “woman’s right to choose,” freedom of speech, and “opportunities to teach in our classroom.”

“That is not freedom,” Fried continued. “that’s oppression.”

Though DeSantis may prefer to face Fried in a General Election, the final poll of the Governor’s race suggests otherwise.

St. Pete Polls’ last survey of the race found Rep. Charlie Crist with 59% support, nearly doubling Fried’s 30%. Undecided voters made up the remaining 11%.

Beyond the Fried back and forth, DeSantis was optimistic about the path forward, contrasting 2022 favorably with 2018’s contests with Adam Putnam and Andrew Gillum.

“The General Election four years ago was a Blue Wave year. I was an unknown candidate. And it was a tough race. I think this time, we have the wind at our back, and I’m running on a record of accomplishment,” DeSantis said.

“(Democrats) attacked me for every decision that I made,” he lamented.

“If they had their way, Florida would not be flying high,” DeSantis said. “Florida would be in the doldrums.”

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has written for FloridaPolitics.com since 2014. He is based in Northeast Florida. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


8 comments

  • Impeach Biden

    August 23, 2022 at 9:23 am

    You go Governor. Fried is done. Enough of her mean spirited attacks and her attempted daily smears against our excellent Governor. Now start packing up the Ag Office Nikki. Don’t lead the door hit you in the azz on the way out.

    • Joe Corsin

      August 23, 2022 at 9:36 am

      Nikki Fried will slap you with her razor sharp nails and give you hardcore carpet scrub..no happy ending buddy. Charlie will rid Florida of anti-government, white supremacist, Christian fascist terrorists like you.

    • Daniela Patterson

      August 23, 2022 at 10:15 am

      Get a Grip! Maybe it will be DeSantis a.. that’s out the door! Talking about meanspirited? That shoe would fit Trump and DeSantis Supporters! Charly will beat Fried! No Brainer, and hopefully get the little Dictator packing!

    • Impeach Biden

      August 23, 2022 at 11:31 am

      Another moronic Andrew Gillum voter. When will you people learn?

      • Joe Corsin

        August 23, 2022 at 12:24 pm

        You’ll learn when Fat Cammack comes over there, disrobes, and wedges your face in between her fat azz🍩💋

  • Russell Barbee

    August 23, 2022 at 3:05 pm

    Just look at how far things have deteriorated, since the Andrew Gillum scandal? Since Gillum was exposed. Now, that group of folks, ( Nikki Fried, and the Democrats ), are “in league” with gays openly recruiting our children. Indoctrinating children. Trying to get in between kids, and their parents. Using the schools as their workspace, and telling the children to keep secrets with them, from their parents. What these Democrats are doing “used to be” illegal in this country. What the hell is going on?

    • Elliott Offen

      August 23, 2022 at 3:55 pm

      ^ This is all right wing propaganda..false information. Can we get some moderation in here? They have Mike Lindell’s website so don’t hand me that free speech crap..

Comments are closed.


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