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Florida’s oldest public service Democrat says she will not comply with Governor Ron DeSantis’ wish for flags to be raised half-length in honor of radio ‘shock’ Rush Limbaugh , died last week of cancer. .
“We will not celebrate hate speech, bigotry and division,” State Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said in a statement Monday.
On Tuesday, she also said she was set to declare her candidacy for governor next year.
Limbaugh died last Wednesday at the age of 70. Two days later, DeSantis said he would order the flags lowered.
Fried said, “Halving the flag of the United States of America is a sacred honor that honors fallen heroes and patriots.
“It is not a partisan political tool. Therefore, I will advise all state offices under my direction to disregard the governor’s forthcoming order to lower the flags for Mr. Limbaugh – as we will not be celebrating hate speech, bigotry and the division.
Limbaugh, who lived in Florida, has emerged as one of the toughest voices on the American right, with his invective addressing women, African Americans, LGBTQ Americans and more. Last year, Donald Trump presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Friday, Fried tweeted: “Governor DeSantis cuts Florida flags to half the baton for Rush Limbaugh. But he had no words for Congressman John Lewis. Priorities. “
Lewis, of Georgia, was a leading figure in the 1960s civil rights movement who served with distinction in Congress. He died last year and has been widely mourned.
On Tuesday, Fried spoke to CNN.
“The American flag must not be used and cannot be used as political support by Governor DeSantis,” she said. “He bends over backwards to honor a radio host who has spent his entire career talking about hate speech and fanaticism, division and conspiracy theories.”
Fried said there are no penalties for not complying with an order to lower the flags, adding, “We don’t want to penalize someone for their beliefs.”
She was also asked if she plans to run against DeSantis in 2022.
“Every day,” she said, “it becomes more and more clear that we need to get rid of Governor De Santis. And as the only Democrat elected statewide in Florida, there are a lot of people who come to me and tell me I’m one of our best shots.
“So we’re definitely looking at it. But again, it becomes clearer and clearer each day that we need to… end this hatred in our condition. So it’s close to a yes.
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