Nikki Fried Blasts DeSantis for ‘Banning Math Textbooks,’ Omits GOP Plans to Fight Rising Costs

April 20, 2022 Updated 9:20 A.M. ET

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Tuesday, gubernatorial candidate and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) took swipes at Governor Ron DeSantis for the state’s rejection of math textbooks.

DeSantis currently leads Fried by 12.8% according to the Real Clear Politics polling average.

Fried attacked DeSantis’ recent bid to end critical race theory (CRT) in schools by rejecting textbooks containing CRT related materials and expanding parental rights. She also criticized his administration’s decision to pursue removing Disney’s self-governing district status in the wake of the massive company’s statement that they intended to fight for the “repeal” of the Parental Rights in Education law.

She claimed that “DeSantis is banning math books and fighting with one of the largest employers in our state.” She went on to say that she is “touring Florida with my plan to fight rising costs.” FLV found that Fried’s claims are false.

While it is true that 41% of math textbooks submitted to the Florida Department of Education were rejected, it was Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran and his Department who refused the submitted books.

Commissioner Corcoran and his department found that many of the books contained CRT related materials and other topics deemed inappropriate as well as not meeting Florida’s B.E.S.T. standards. In grades K-5, 71% of submitted materials were rejected, 21% percent of which being rejected due to the materials containing “prohibited topics or unsolicited strategies including CRT.”

As for Fried’s touted “plan to fight rising costs,” the commissioner responded to rising gas prices in early March by slamming fuel theft as a cause. “With gas prices hitting record highs, fuel theft can further drive up costs for all consumers.” She failed to criticize the Biden administration’s far-left climate policies, like President Joe Biden’s decision to cancel the Keystone pipeline as one of his first acts after being inaugurated.

Fried’s ‘plan’ omits Governor DeSantis’ proposal from November of last year to provide “more than $1 billion in gas tax relief for Florida families.”