Democrat Nikki Fried announces run for Florida governor
BRENDAN FARRINGTON, Associated Press
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1of3FILE- In this Nov. 2, 2019, Nikki Fried, Democratic candidate for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, speaks during a campaign rally, in Miami. Fried, the only Democrat currently holding statewide office, has teased a June 1 date to publicly announce whether she will run for Florida governor.Lynne Sladky/APShow MoreShow Less
2of3FILE - In this June 4, 2019 file photo, Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried, speaks during a meeting of the Florida cabinet, in Tallahassee, Fla. Fried, the only Democrat currently holding statewide office, has teased a June 1 date to publicly announce whether she will run for Florida governor.Steve Cannon/APShow MoreShow Less
State Rep. Fentrice Driskell first debated in the Florida House chamber when she was 17 and a student at Lake Gibson High School in Lakeland.
Driskell went to Tallahassee the summer before her senior year to participate in Florida Girls State, an educational program for selected rising seniors that simulates the functions of state government. During the weeklong session, Driskell met Florida’s governor, the late Lawton Chiles, a Lakeland native.
In an indication of what lay ahead, fellow participants elected Driskell governor of the student delegation.
“It completely changed my life,” Driskell said last week. “Before that, I thought I wanted to be an engineer. But after that experience, I fell in love with government. I decided to study it in college, which I did. I decided I would go to law school so that I could learn the language of government.”
Democrat Nikki Fried announces run for Florida governor
Published: June 1, 2021 2:04 PM EDT
Updated: June 1, 2021 3:32 PM EDT
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Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced Tuesday she’ll seek the Democratic nomination for governor, calling Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis an authoritarian who’s putting his party and political ambition ahead of Floridians.
Fried criticized DeSantis for trying to quash the voice of Floridians by signing bills that make it more difficult to vote, crack down on protests and make it harder for citizens to change the constitution.
“Ron DeSantis has fully embraced the right-wing agenda and authoritarian style of governing that doesn’t fit in the state of Florida,” Fried said in a phone interview. “If you don’t support him or the party, he’s going to stop you from voting. If you disagree with him, he’s going to silence you.”
Nikki Fried, only statewide elected Democrat, announces run for Florida governor
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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried announced run for governor. (Copyright 2021 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Speculation about Nikki Fried’s intentions for 2022 ended Tuesday when she officially announced she is running to become the next governor of Florida.
“I’m Nikki Fried, and I’m here to break the rigged system in Florida. It’s corrupt, it’s anti-democratic, and it’s time for something new,” Fried, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, said in a video posted to Twitter. “Listen, this won’t be easy. Those in power will do whatever harm it takes to stay there. But I’ve spent my whole life taking on this system. I’m unafraid. I’m tested. I’m ready.”
Florida State University News
FSU recognizes five with Torch Awards for furthering university’s academic excellence
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May 26, 2021 | 5:05 pm | SHARE:
From left to right: Janet Kistner, vice president for faculty development and advancement, Doby Flowers, Paula Peters Smith, Bill Godfrey Smith, John Thrasher, Fred Flowers, Dorothy Jenkins and her husband Charles Jenkins.
Florida State University’s Faculty Senate honored five members of the university community May 24 with the Torch Award for their contributions to furthering academic excellence at FSU.
FSU President John Thrasher commended the winners and their devotion to the university during Monday’s event.
“As a past recipient of a Torch Award, I know how special it is to be honored by the faculty in this way, and these individuals could not be more deserving,” he said. “They have donated their time, talent and treasure because they believe strongly in our mission and because they care deepl