Former Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Nikki Fried, who lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary last year, announced Monday that she wants to try “something new” — and is running to be the next chair of the Florida Democratic Party.
That pits her against former Sen. Annette Taddeo, who lost her bid for congress last year, in an race to reform and rejuvenate a party that has seen major political losses and division. Fried and Taddeo, who announced her run for the FDP chair about four weeks ago, competed briefly last year in the gubernatorial primary before Taddeo shifted to the congressional race in District 27.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has already endorsed Taddeo, who has received endorsements from both women in the past. But that was before Fried jumped in.
Read related: Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried backs Daniella Levine Cava for mayor
And, also, why can’t they co-chair? Can anyone imagine how symbolic and powerful a partnership between these two women can be?
“As we chart a path forward for our Party and our state, a path of unity, a path of engagement, a path of inclusion and most importantly a path to VICTORY, it is important that we do it together,” Fried said in a statement.
And Ladra couldn’t have said it better herself. They should lead the party together. The power of both women might just be what the Florida Democratic Party needs to right the ship before it sinks. Why not? It’s not like they can hurt the party any more.
Former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz resigned as chair of the state party last month, after much criticism of the party’s performance in the 2022 elections, which has gone down in the books as one of the worst for the blue party ever.
Democrats lost every statewide race as well as several legislative races, giving Republicans a supermajority status in both the Florida House, where Dems now have just 35 of the 120 members, and the Florida Senate, where they have 12 of 40.
Local Democrat leaders — some of whom want Miami-Dade Democratic Party Chair Robert Dempster to also resign — say that one of the problems was there was not enough coordination between the state and county organizations and clubs. Many want He says he won’t
“As Chair, I will commit to rebuilding our Party from the ground up,” Fried said in her statement. “Our work will be in lock-step with County Democratic Parties, our Clubs and Caucuses, Democratic elected leaders, community organizations and supporters.”
Fried also said that the party would focus on voter registration — Democrats have lost ground in Florida over the past few years — training and “growing our progressive coalitions.”
“I am determined to rebuild the trust of national committees and I will dedicate the full weight of the Party to quality candidate recruitment and to reforming our antiquated weighted vote system and bylaws which too often exclude rather than include,” Fried said.
“My decision is not one made lightly, it comes after months of listening to friends, advisors and Democrats across the state. Florida Democratic Party Chair was not the path I had 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 have to unite our diverse voices and refocus on the issues and grassroots organizing that wins elections. I’m excited for the opportunity to serve Florida and I can’t wait to get started.”
Fried already has a list of public endorsements that account for nearly two thirds the votes needed to win the FDP Chair election. The committee to elect Nikki Fried promises more endorsements to be rolled out in the coming days.
Read related: Sen. Annette Taddeo shifts from Florida guv’s race to congressional bid in CD27
Taddeo also has significant support, including the backing from several Democratic members of Congress and the state legislature — like Congress members Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Florida Senate leaders Lauren Book and Jason Pizzo and State Rep. Anna Eskamani — as well as national DNC Finance Chair Chris Korge.
A full list of legislators and party leaders supporting her are on Taddeo’s website, where it says she is running “to rebuild our party infrastructure, not just thinking in terms of two-year cycles but long term, by registering and mobilizing voters, organizing in local communities, county parties and Democratic clubs and caucuses, recruiting candidates and rebuilding our brand.
“Senator Taddeo’s experience makes her uniquely qualified to empower grassroots activists with a seat at the table and bring together volunteers, elected officials and donors to focus on organizing the building blocks that will make our Florida Democratic Party stronger from the ground up for long term change.”
Karla Hernández-Mats, who was Charlie Crist’s running mate in the 2022 gubernatorial race, has also endorsed Taddeo, who she said “transformed the Miami-Dade DEC by mobilizing grassroots organizers and recruiting and supporting candidates.
“Annette’s toughness and know-how qualify her as the leader the FDP needs now,” Hernandez-Mats said. “Respected as a leader in the Florida Senate, Annette was re-elected in a swing district that voted for Republicans at the top of the ticket. Annette has the critical experience in both federal and statewide campaigns that is critically important.”
The election for FDP chair is Feb. 25.
Deja vu: It’s Nikki Fried vs Annette Taddeo for Florida Dem Party Chair added by Ladra on
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