Nikki Fried Says Democrats are ‘Party of Freedom’ Despite Supporting Mask Mandates

June 13, 2022 Updated 12:23 P.M. ET

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Democrat candidate for governor Nikki Fried continuously says the Democrat Party is the “party of freedom” despite her support of mask mandates.

“Let’s be very clear, the Democratic Party is the party of freedom — of choice, of being yourself, and opportunity,” Fried said on Twitter.

However, the Florida Democrat has proposed mask mandates. For instance, in July of 2020 she urged DeSantis to “mandate that Floridians #WearAMask.” 

“I called for a statewide mask order nearly a month ago and the situation in Florida only continues to get worse,” Fried said in July of 2020 on Twitter.

While Fried claims she never supported vaccine mandates, she was adamantly against Governor DeSantis’ decision to call a special session to ban businesses from requiring vaccine mandates.

“This is a purely self-serving political ploy by the Governor, once again pulling out all the stops to appease – and encourage – extremist positions that fly in the face of science and public health instead of protecting our children, our communities, and our economy,” Fried said in October of 2021.

Governor DeSantis has sternly stood against these mandates. 

“Your right to earn a living should not be contingent upon COVID shots,” DeSantis remarked in October of 2021 when he called the special session. 

DeSantis Calls Transportation Mask Extension “COVID Theater” as CDC Investigates New Cases

DeSantis called mask mandates “COVID theater” and sued the federal government to end the mandates on public transportation. 

Some Florida Democrats including State Sen. Jason Pizzo supported a bill forcing vaccinations. Pizzo did not directly answer questions about his bill while the Senator attended a pro-abortion rights rally.

FL Democrat Sen. Pizzo Supports Forced Vaccinations, Dodges Questions When Confronted

Nikki Fried serves as the Agriculture Commissioner of Florida. She faces U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist for the Democratic nomination in the race for governor.