Nikki Fried Poses Next to Pickup Truck Wearing Budweiser Hat to Appeal to “North Florida”

By Eric Daugherty

Published Dec. 18, 2021, 8:22 p.m. ET | Updated Jan. 3, 2023

December 18, 2021 Updated 6:11 P.M. ET

TALLAHASSEE (FCV) – Saturday afternoon, Florida Agriculture Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried (D) posed in a new photo to try to appeal to “North Florida.”

We’re going to dominate Ron DeSantis in South Florida, but we’re going to do just fine in North Florida, too. pic.twitter.com/7ptxgqh94V
— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) December 18, 2021

In the photo, the Miami-born urban Democrat is seen posing with a Budweiser hat on next to a pickup truck wearing hoop earrings and an American flag themed bikini.

The photo op has been criticized as a disingenuous attempt to relate to Florida Panhandlers, a more traditionally “southern” cultural region as opposed to more southern parts of Florida like Miami and Naples.

Christina Pushaw, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ (R) press secretary, mocked the Florida Democrat:

“Budweiser hat, American Flag bikini, hoop earrings, empty beer can… Perfect! The people of North Florida will definitely believe I am just like them and can relate to them! This is not offensive or condescending at all!”
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) December 18, 2021