- Democrat Nikki Fried released her first ad ahead of the 2022 Democratic primary.
- The ad shows the statewide Democrat walk through Florida’s 46 governors, calling for something new to “combat attacks on women’s rights, a failing economy, and the inability to ban assault weapons.”
- The $1.5 million TV ad will cover Miami, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Ft. Myers, and Tallahassee media markets.
- Fried will face off against Charlie Crist in the August primary to determine the Democratic nominee to take on Governor Ron DeSantis on November 8.
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is touting “something new” in her first TV spot ahead of the Democratic primary for Florida governor.
Fried dropped the 30-second spot, titled “#47,” on Monday, taking shots at her biggest competition, Charlie Crist, while also lambasting Governor Ron DeSantis as she walks in front of mannequins representing Florida’s long list — 46 total — of male governors.
“Florida’s had 46 Governors. Some good, some bad. And one, depends on which way the wind’s blowing,” Fried says, throwing a subtle jab at Crist who served as a Republican governor in Florida from 2007 to 2011. “But with Roe gone, our cost of living out of control and no ban on assault weapons, we have to try something new.”
The $1.5 million TV buy, which covers Miami, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Ft. Myers, and Tallahassee media markets, also highlights her accomplishments and record as the first statewide Democrat elected since 2012.
“I’m Nikki Fried. I’m your only statewide elected Democrat. Only pro-choice Democrat. Only Democrat to have never taken a dime from the NRA,” Fried continues. “I’ll beat Ron DeSantis and be a governor you can finally be proud of.”
The campaign ad comes one week after Fried squared off against Crist in their lone debate. Crist, the presumed frontrunner, leads in fundraising and has continued to stack endorsements from notable lawmakers, major political players, and labor organizations.
Fried was elected agriculture commissioner in 2018, narrowly defeating Republican Matt Caldwell.
If Fried manages to overcome the odds to defeat Crist, she would again be met with a Sisyphean Task of dispatching DeSantis, a 2024 presidential contender. DeSantis has banked almost $130 million for his November re-election.
If successful on both fronts, she would become the first woman elected Governor of Florida.
FIRST TV AD: Florida has had 46 governors, but for our 47th, we need something new. pic.twitter.com/V9TDC2mBH1
— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) August 1, 2022