State Representative Angie Nixon, a democratic socialist, has defeated Alex Vindman in Florida’s Democratic primary, setting up an Angie Nixon Florida Senate race against Republican incumbent Ashley Moody.
Nixon, who recently joined the Democratic Socialists of America, beat Vindman despite raising just under $1 million compared to his approximately $16 million war chest. Vindman had spent more than $9 million by the end of July.
The result shocked the Democratic establishment, which had backed Vindman in the hope his national profile and fundraising would make the seat competitive.
Angie Nixon Florida Senate race seen as long shot
Moody, a former state attorney general, was appointed to the seat by Governor Ron DeSantis after Marco Rubio vacated it to become secretary of state under President Donald Trump. Election analysts have rated the seat as solidly Republican.
Britney Whaley, southeast regional director of the Working Families Party, said the result must serve as a warning to the party mainstream.
‘Tonight’s election results must be a wake-up call to a political establishment that believes a populist message can’t win in the South,’ Whaley said. ‘Angie’s campaign proves voters will respond to a bold economic vision that meets their basic needs.’
Nixon had the backing of Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar. She campaigned on universal healthcare and childcare, and has been an outspoken critic of US foreign policy and the war in Gaza.
Vindman concedes and pledges support
Vindman served on the White House’s National Security Council during Trump’s first term. His testimony was central to Trump’s first impeachment, in which he pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to investigate Joe Biden and his family.
Vindman’s role made him a national Democratic figure and a target of Trump’s criticism, generating millions of pounds in small-dollar donations. His twin brother Eugene, who also served on the National Security Council, is a Democratic congressman from Virginia.
‘Rep. Nixon ran a strong campaign. I will be standing by her side in the fight against Ashley Moody. I hope you’ll join me,’ Vindman said in a concession statement.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer had hoped Vindman’s reputation and funds would put the seat in play. Nixon’s win has instead lifted Republican confidence ahead of the contest.
Florida has shifted to the right since 2016. Trump moved his residence to his Mar-a-Lago resort after leaving the White House following his first term. The Angie Nixon Florida Senate contest now becomes a test of whether a hard-left message can cut through in a state the party has repeatedly failed to win.
Nixon’s next challenge is the general election against Moody, with the US Senate seat widely expected to remain in Republican hands.
