A Stunning Win for the Left in Florida: 6 Takeaways From Tuesday’s Primaries
New York Times · LC · trust 40/100
State Representative Angie Nixon, a progressive firebrand, defeated a moderate who dramatically out-raised her with grass-roots enthusiasm. Can it carry her to victory in November?
Listen · 6:38 min Share full article State Representative Angie Nixon spent just $60,000 on television advertising, compared to opponent Alex Vindman’s $2.2 million. Credit... Saul Martinez for The New York Times By Patricia Mazzei
Patricia Mazzei reported from Oakland Park, Fla.
With her defeat of Alex Vindman, a candidate with establishment backing who raised more than 16 times as much campaign money, Ms. Nixon, a democratic socialist, continued the left’s winning streak this year in Democratic primaries.
Florida had appeared impervious to the prevailing political winds in recent election cycles, with Republicans doing exceptionally well in the state in 2022, in what was otherwise a strong year for Democrats. Ms. Nixon’s breakthrough victory, and losses by Republicans endorsed by President Trump in several Florida congressional primaries, suggested that maybe Florida is no longer quite as immune to national trends.
Here are six takeaways from Tuesday night’s primaries in Florida, Alaska and Wyoming, and a special election in California:
Money is usually key to political campaigns in Florida, the nation’s third-largest state and home to 10 television markets. Ms. Nixon raised only $975,000, compared to Mr. Vindman’s more than $16.3 million. And she spent just $60,000 on advertising, according to AdImpact, a media tracking firm, compared to his $2.2 million.
Mr. Vindman will face questions about why his campaign did not spend more introducing him to voters. But credit Ms. Nixon, a union organizer, for knowing how to harness the enthusiasm of grass-roots Democrats and volunteers — and deftly using social media — to inform them about her candidacy.
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