Dyer backs Democrat Fried for agriculture post
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer endorsed Democrat Nicole “Nikki” Fried for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture on Monday, a post that has been held by Republican men since 2001.
Dyer, who said he typically doesn’t endorse candidates in primary elections, said he was particularly impressed with Fried’s “understanding and knowledge on the major issues facing our state,” so much so that he ”felt it was imperative to fully support her.”
“I have full faith that on day one she will be able to go to Tallahassee and effectuate the kind of change that has been lacking for 20 years under Republican control,” Dyer said in a press release.
Fried grew up in Miami and got her law degree at the University of Florida. She also heads a one-person lobbying firm, Igniting Florida, which has lobbied for the Broward County School Board and Florida’s Children First, a Coral Springs-based non-profit that advocates for the rights of at-risk children.
Fried called Dyer, who has been mayor for 15 years, a “tireless advocate” for the environment, schools and common sense gun reform.
“I will fight for these issues just as hard as he has,” Fried said. She supports the legalization of medical marijuana and, if elected, plans to audit the state’s concealed weapons permit procedures to enact new safeguards in the system.
Fried has also been endorsed by former Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, 10 state senators, 15 state representatives, 33 county and municipal leaders, the Service Employees International Union, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council and several newspapers, including the Tampa Bay Times and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
The other Democrats in the race are Homestead Mayor Jeffrey Duane Porter and environmental scientist Roy David Walker. The Republican candidates are Florida Rep. Matt Caldwell, Florida Sen. Denise Grimsley, retired Army Col. Mike McCalister, and former Florida Rep. Baxter Troutman.
Early voting in the Aug. 28 Florida primary runs from Aug. 16-25 in Lake County, Aug. 17-26 in Orange and Osceola counties, and Aug. 18-25 in Seminole County.