Something New? Florida Ag Commish Set To Take a Run for Governor
June 7, 2021 One of the worst kept secrets in Florida politics is out. Last week, state Ag Commissioner Nikki Fried announced she will be running for governor in 2022. Fried, the only statewide-elected Democrat, used social media posts over the course of several weeks to tease a “big announcement” coming.
She made her candidacy official on June 1 with a video in which she vows to “break the rigged, corrupt system in Florida.”
It’s time to break the rigged, corrupt system in Florida with #SomethingNew.
That’s why I’m running for Governor.
Join us at https://t.co/pSDjoC7HWW. pic.twitter.com/Vzb1MnBuSB— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) June 1, 2021
Fried was the first woman elected to the Cabinet position of commissioner of agriculture in the Sunshine State, beating former state rep. Matt Caldwell (R) in a close race. Upon her inauguration in Jan. 2019, Fried promised a bold agenda. Included among her top agriculture-related priorities are:
- Cleaner Waters
- Expanding Patient Access to Medical Marijuana
- Hemp Production
- Agricultural Innovation
- Expanded Availability of Healthy Foods
- Renewable Energy and Climate Change
Fried’s gubernatorial campaign theme is “Something New.” Before she can set her sights directly on incumbent Ron DeSantis (R), however, she will likely have to get by Rep. Charlie Crist (D) in the primary. Crist, Florida’s former governor prior to Rick Scott, announced last month that he was running for his old job.
The previous Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam took a shot at the Governor’s seat during the 2018 race. Despite having extensive political experience and strong support from the local agriculture community, he still lost handily to DeSantis.
As of this posting, no candidates had been announced in the race for Florida’s next Commissioner of Agriculture.
On a related note: Gary Black, Georgia’s Commissioner of Agriculture, has just announced a run for the state’s Senate race.
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