Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Democratic Congressman Charlie Crist are slowly cutting into Governor Ron DeSantis‘ lead on PredicIt.
The betting proposition, which launched in April on the online prediction market, shows Fried and Crist on the upswing in the lead-up to the 2022 election. At the time of this article, Fried is trading at $.18 Yes price — up ten cents from August 1. Crist is also gaining momentum, sitting closely behind Fried at $.15 — up five cents since August 1.
DeSantis continues to dominate the field, with a $.70 Yes price. His price, however, has dropped over 10 cents since the start of the month.
Fried and Crist’s momentum comes as the state experiences a summer increase in COVID-19 cases. The nationwide delta variant surge, along with Wednesday’s record-breaking hospitalizations, has reignited a renewed push to lay the blame at DeSantis’ feet. Detractors continue to lambast the Governor for his opposition to new pandemic-related restrictions. Last week, DeSantis signed an executive order directing the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and Florida Department of Health (FDOH) to issue emergency rules protecting the rights of parents to decide whether their children will wear masks when the school year begins.
The move drew backlash from several opponents, including Fried and Crist, who have openly criticized DeSantis’ leadership throughout the pandemic. Fried, especially, has led the crusade against DeSantis, providing coronavirus updates while framing herself as Florida’s voice against the pandemic.
Fried held a briefing on Thursday, sounding the alarm on growing hospitalizations and urging Floridians to mask up and get vaccinated. The lone statewide Democrat also hit back at DeSantis, saying he’s “playing politics with our lives.”
“Get vaccinated. Listen to our public health experts. And follow recommendations on mask guidelines,” Fried said while donning a face covering. “We can control this virus.”
Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are an all-time high in Florida — right as we are about to start a new school year. We must protect our children— from COVID and the defunding of our schools. If that means the federal government must step in, so be it.
Here is today’s briefing. pic.twitter.com/Z45RqXiDGI
— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) August 5, 2021
To view the 2022 Florida gubernatorial market, click here.