[my_unibots_shortcode_1]
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s solely Democrat serving statewide workplace is counting down the times till her time period’s conclusion.
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried will depart her put up on the finish of the yr after failing to develop into the occasion’s nominee for governor final week.
In the ultimate days of the primary, Fried’s marketing campaign insisted she had momentum, that ladies and younger voters would prove and topple Charlie Crist.
That didn’t occur.
After weeks of questioning whether or not Democrats might belief Crist on points like abortion, final Tuesday’s outcomes weren’t even shut. Fried misplaced by about 25 factors regardless of a perceived swell of assist.
“We knew going into this that we were running against someone who had been doing this for 30 years,” Fried mentioned.
After days of reflection, Fried mentioned defeat was a combo of issues, together with poor preliminary fundraising which led to weak title recognition.
“People didn’t know us well enough. It was safer for them with a named commodity and entity than to try something new,” Fried mentioned. “We talked to a lot of voters at the end that turned in their vote-by-mail ballots that were like, oh, we wish that we had seen you three weeks ago.”
Democrats have since accomplished the same old unity rally. Fried has endorsed Crist and mentioned she’ll preserve campaigning for him on-line and in particular person till November.
Fried is urging her supporters to pivot as nicely, however warns belief remains to be a problem.
“We are making these cellphone calls. I’m encouraging all people to ensure that we’re going out and voting for Charlie and supporting the Democratic ticket and Democratic occasion,” Fried said. “There goes to be some work to be accomplished. I can solely go thus far. Charlie goes to need to go the opposite facet.”
While 2022 is Fried’s initial focus post-primary, she’s also looking beyond it.
The agriculture commissioner wants to get abortion protections on the Florida ballot in 2024 and is considering another run for office.
“I’m not going to run except I discover my ardour in one thing. Not going to run simply to run. That’s not me. I’m going to seek out the place I could make the best affect,” Fried said. “I’ll proceed to have a look at what alternatives are on the market and the place my voice is important.”
Fried tells us she has no regrets as she prepares to leave her position, and hopes her failed run for governor is still a win of sorts.
“There is a tremendously massive glass ceiling for ladies in politics. That nonetheless exists,” Fried said. “I believe that we made slightly little bit of a crack in that ceiling and we’re going to maintain going and ensure that we really break it down.”
Fried has served as Florida’s agriculture commissioner since 2018. The place is now up for grabs between Democrat Naomi Esther Blemur and Republican Wilton Simpson.
[my_adsense_shortcode_1]
Source link
[my_taboola_shortcode_1]
