Progressive Angie Nixon Upsets Florida U.S. Senate Democratic Primary

Angie Nixon, a Florida state representative and Democratic Socialists of America member, scored an upset victory in the state’s Democratic US Senate primary, defeating former Army intelligence officer Alexander Vindman despite being vastly outspent.

Nixon won 56.1 percent of the vote to Vindman’s 43.9 percent, according to the Associated Press. She had just US$975,000 in campaign funds at the end of July, compared with Vindman’s US$16.3 million, per Florida Politics. Vindman, who served on the National Security Council during Donald Trump’s first term, had been considered the establishment favorite.

Nixon will now face Republican Ashley Moody in November’s general election. Moody, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to fill Marco Rubio’s seat after he became secretary of state, easily won a largely uncontested Republican primary. The winner will serve the remaining two years of Rubio’s term.

A Jacksonville native and vocal DeSantis critic – she staged a sit-in at the governor’s office this spring to protest Republican-led redistricting – Nixon’s win adds to a string of recent primary victories for Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates in Philadelphia, Colorado, Michigan, and New York City.