TALLAHASSEE (Florida News Service)
After losing last year’s gubernatorial campaign, former state agriculture commissioner Nicky Freed ran for Florida Democratic Party chairman.
In a prepared statement Monday, Freed said she would “commit to rebuilding our party from the ground up” after Democrats lost all statewide races and lost seats in the state legislature and congressional delegation in 2022.
“My decision was not made lightly; this comes after months of listening to friends, advisers and Democrats across the state,” Fried said. “Being chairman of the Florida Democratic Party was not the path I originally envisioned for myself, but too much is at stake to sit on the sidelines — from women’s rights, economic opportunity, and climate change to affordable housing, protecting our democracy, and education. We must unite our diverse voices and refocus on issues and grassroots organizations that win elections.”
Fried joined four other candidates, including former state Sen. Annette Tadeo, in the race to replace Manny Diaz, who stepped down as party chairman in January.
Freed was elected agriculture commissioner in 2018, but ran for governor last year instead of seeking a second term in the cabinet. She lost the gubernatorial primary to former U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, who lost the general election to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
