The Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida has opted not to offer its endorsement for the 2022 Democrat gubernatorial primary. The two most likely candidates to achieve the party nomination are Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL-13) and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D).
The caucus expressed its opinion that the two candidates are better options than incumbent Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) but maintained that the two Democrat candidates did not model a progressive candidate quite closely enough.
“While we found many areas of agreement with both Democratic candidates, there were important parts of our platform on which we were not in agreement,” the group said. “We believe either candidate is a far better choice than the increasingly authoritarian Ron DeSantis. Understanding the dangerous moment in which we find ourselves, DPCF will actively support whichever candidate wins the primary.”
They continued their comments by saying that they are in the business of “saving our democracy.”
“Working together and including progressives in the decision-making processes, we can build a coalition to win in November, in order to save our democracy, protect the rights of millions of Floridians, and develop plans and implement policies which lift up all Floridians, beginning with those on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder,” the statement concluded.
Crist has attempted to bill himself as a progressive, but he was once elected as Florida’s governor for one term as a Republican, during which he endorsed numerous pro-life policies. In the last year since the race began, Fried has blasted Crist as a fake progressive.
“I’m the only candidate running for governor in Florida that’s been pro-choice my whole life and never sacrificed women’s health for political gain,” Fried said on Twitter. “Think about that and tell me again who @FlaDems are going to nominate to take on and beat @GovRonDeSantis.”
Additionally, Fried has had financial ties and questions of ethics surrounding her involvement with the medical cannabis industry. She was personal friends with Congressman Matt Gaetz (F-FL-1) who previously served as a state lawmaker and sponsored medical marijuana legislation. Gaetz has had a friendship with former Florida State Rep. Halsey Beshears, who crafted medical marijuana legislation behind closed doors with charged and convicted Tallahassee businessman J.T. Burnette. Burnette is married to Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers, who was appointed to a medical marijuana advisory committee by Fried.
Florida’s progressives have had a hard time finding a candidate to rally around, especially after the last progressive to win the Democrat nomination, former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, was recently indicted by the federal government on multiple charges connected to campaign contribution fraud.
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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at The Florida Capital Star and The Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
Photo “Charlie Crist” by Congressman Charlie Crist. Photo “Nikki Fried” by Nikki Fried. Background Photo “Election Day 2020” by Phil Roeder. CC BY 2.0.
