Florida Democrats elected former agriculture commissioner Nikki Fried to be their next party chair in the state after they were blown out across the board in historic fashion during last year’s midterm elections.
Fried, a failed gubernatorial candidate who could not even win her primary race, said after being elected to the role, “You better believe we are going to take it to Ron DeSantis every damn day.”
DeSantis crushed the expectations of even his staunchest allies, winning by more than 1.5 million votes in a 19.4-point margin over Democrat Charlie Crist for the state’s governorship.
DeSantis won 62 of Florida’s 67 counties, including 59 counties by double digits. DeSantis won Miami-Dade County, the largest county in the state and a Democrat stronghold, by 11 points. He won Palm Beach County, the third largest county in the state and another Democrat stronghold, by three points.
The win by the 44-year-old governor was felt down-ballot by Republicans who also crushed their opponents. The historic election is the reason why Republicans now control the U.S. House of Representatives and why Republicans now have supermajorities in the Florida state House and Senate.
“The Florida Democratic Party congratulates @NikkiFried on being elected to lead our party as the new Chair,” the Florida Democrats wrote on Twitter. “We look forward to working together to elect Democrats up and down the ballot to deliver for Floridians.”
Top DeSantis aide Christina Pushaw responded to the tweet with a map showing Republicans’ dominance in the state. “Aww congrats Nikki!” Pushaw wrote.
Aww congrats Nikki! pic.twitter.com/7Iab5oUXah
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) February 25, 2023
“Hell yeah,” conservative commentator David Reaboi tweeted.
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Florida Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler tweeted, “At this point, I may need to discuss with our staff the need to list all activity conducted by the @FlaDems as an in-kind to the @FloridaGOP.”
The popular conservative Twitter account AG responded, “I’ve noticed this trend where state parties that are failing and focused on only attracting a dwindling base have a tendency to double down instead of looking to adjust. Republicans are doing it in AZ, MI etc and now you see FL Dems following suit.”
I’ve noticed this trend where state parties that are failing and focused on only attracting a dwindling base have a tendency to double down instead of looking to adjust. Republicans are doing it in AZ, MI etc and now you see FL Dems following suit. https://t.co/su8HMNrgds
— AG (@AGHamilton29) February 25, 2023
“Got her doors absolutely blown off in a primary by a guy who got his doors absolutely blown off in a general,” said former Republican Governors Association Communications Director Jesse Hunt in reference to Fried losing her primary race to Crist. “But sure, I love this for FL Dems.”
Now they’re guaranteed to never win anything in Florida again. https://t.co/oCIFDgdqaO pic.twitter.com/SBgu2GnYgo
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) February 25, 2023