Florida State Rep. Angie Nixon is the Democratic Socialist nominee for the U.S. Senate. Arguably, her chances against the Ron DeSantis-anointed incumbent, Ashley Moody–in a state with 1.5 million more registered Republicans than Democrats–are not as good as those of her defeated primary opponent, Alex Vindman, would have been. The military veteran with foreign-policy bonafides appealed to independents, had a national profile and raised a ton of money. But real Democratic voters, not pundit speculation, polls, fund-raising numbers and campaign stops in The Villages and Puerto Rico, ultimately determine nominees.
Victory in November, key to the Dems reclaiming the Senate, will now depend on pragmatic catalysts and enlightened self-interest.
Nixon, the three-term Jacksonville activist, was spot on about the bottom line. “We can argue all day about people’s labels,” she pointed out. “These elections … are about people’s needs.”
Moreover, Vindman seems determined to help the overall cause and not pout over an upset. To date, his coffers have coughed up $400,000 to help Nixon and other Democratic candidates running in competitive and federal races in Florida. Another $250,000 in Vindman money was sent to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. More is expected.
“Voters across the country, especially here in Florida, know that nothing is more important than flipping the U.S. Senate,” underscored Vindman. “The only way to cut costs for working families, root out corruption in D.C. and finally hold the Trump Administration accountable is to deliver a Democratic majority this November.”
Now the onus will be on all Floridians. Do your homework. Play down labels. Play up enlightened self-interest.