Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, gave an inspiring talk about the work being done to invigorate Florida Democrats to vote and win races up and down the ballot! Since taking over last year she has criss-crossed the state to support the county parties’ work to recruit volunteers for the grassroots work necessary now to re-elect President Biden, win the US Senate seat, Congressional seats and local and municipal elections. Please watch and share the recording widely!
There were skeptical questions on DeSantis’ win in ’22 but Fried pointed out that he won because over 1.5 million Democrats stayed home! That can’t and won’t happen with the plans and messaging Dems have started.
Chair Fried called it her 3 A's:
- Abortion – This is front and center with the Republicans’ cruel 6-week abortion ban going into effect May 1st. Voters can end this by passing Amendment 4, a constitutional right to abortion, and polls show over 70% of Florida voters support this amendment.
- Accountability – We must hold Republicans accountable for the voter suppression laws, book bans, passing a “permitless carry” law and imposing an extreme gerrymandered Congressional map on the legislature (it is being challenged in court).
- Affordability – Republicans have done little to address the crisis in affordable housing across the state as well as rising insurance rates (listening to insurance industry lobbyists). More importantly, for over 10 years they have failed to address the needs of seniors, low-income Floridians and those with disabilities by blocking the expansion of Medicaid. Democrats would work to expand Medicaid (with a constitutional amendment campaign already planned). Dems would also look to free up funds in reserves to work with developers to build more affordable housing.