Democrats Turn on Nikki Fried for Celebrating Transportation Mask Mandate Ruling: “I will not be donating again”
April 20, 2022 Updated 9:31 A.M. ET
TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Late Tuesday night, Agriculture Commissioner and Democrat candidate for governor Nikki Fried Tweeted a smiling photo in an airplane, maskless, celebrating a decision by a U.S. District Judge overturning the Biden Administration’s transportation mask mandate.
“Peace out to the TSA mask mandate, but also peace and respect to others, whether wearing a mask or not,” she said.
Fried supported mask and vaccine mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Immediately, to the smiles of conservatives, Fried’s left-wing attacked her for celebrating the freedom to not wear a mask.
Charlotte Clymer, a prominent “Media Personality” verified on Twitter with almost 400,000 followers, vowed to never donate to Fried’s campaign again.
“Commissioner Fried, countless physicians have expressed alarm in the past 24 hours over why a basic public health measure was nuked by one of the rare federal judges to be deemed “unqualified” by the ABA and this is your response. It’s disappointing. I will not be donating again,” he said.
“Earned you an unfollow. There are unvaccinated kids on planes and individuals who have compromised immune systems. Masks work!,” one user with “#BLM #BidenHarris2020” in their account’s bio said.
“I’m a bit disappointed in this post. It tries to be conciliatory, but it ignores the fact that the decision was neither legally nor scientifically sound,” one user said, who has “#VoteBlueNoMatterWho” in their bio.
“You had a good run till now,” another said.
“This shows a lack of support for children under 5 and immune compromised people for whom the vax isn’t as effective. Plus, even if you are vaxxed you can still spread Covid and suffer from Long-Covid. Very disappointed. It was a good run,” another critic said, saying, “I guess we need to back another candidate.”
One user showed their frustration, saying, “UGH. I really like you Nikki but this is not a good look. As a leader you should be setting a good example. I’m not sure who you think this is going to appeal to but chances are they’re not voting for you.”
In response to critics, Fried replied to her initial Tweet, saying, “I’ll read all your takes, but the mandates are dropped, vaccines are working, things are getting back to normal, and it’s okay for a Democrat to say it — because we made it possible.”
“Reading the comments of democrats turning on you gives me life,” Republican activist Scott Presler replied.
Fried is behind primary opponent Charlie Crist, a current U.S. Representative, in both fundraising and poll numbers, with Crist polling almost 4 points better against DeSantis than Fried.
Crist also recently obtained the endorsement of U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a move that helps solidify institutional support for Crist.
If Fried was not already on track to lose the Democrat nomination for Florida Governor, having already been behind Crist in polls and fundraising, observers believe that her chances are all but zero to face off against DeSantis in the general election in November.
