Angie Nixon scores socialist breakthrough in Trump's Florida
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Newsletters Axios Local Show Axios Pro Axios Live The Axios Show Login Axios All topics Axios Search Updated 3 hours ago - Politics & Policy Angie Nixon scores socialist breakthrough in Trump's Florida Andrew Pantazi , Marc Caputo , Holly Otterbein email (opens in new window) sms (opens in new window) facebook (opens in new window) twitter (opens in new window) linkedin (opens in new window) bluesky (opens in new window) Add Axios on Google Add Axios as your preferred source to
Add Axios on Google Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon waves as she is introduced to the congregation at the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church on Aug. 17. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Angie Nixon's stunning Florida Senate primary win on Tuesday gave the Democratic Socialists of America its biggest statewide breakthrough yet: For the first time ever, a DSA member won a major-party nomination for statewide office.
Why it matters: The breakthrough —the biggest upset in modern Florida Democratic politics— was also stunning because Republicans have spent years making opposition to socialism central to their political brand in the state.
Zoom out: Nixon's breakthrough came one week after fellow DSA member Francesca Hong narrowly lost Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary and two weeks after a left-wing candidate, Abdul El-Sayed , won Michigan's Senate nomination.
Behind the scenes: Shocked establishment Democrats were left scrambling Tuesday night to welcome Nixon to the general election.
What they're sayin g: "I reject socialism," the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, David Jolly, said on MSNOW. He also shared kind words about Nixon as a "fighter" for better healthcare and education.
The intrigue: Nixon pulled off the win without endorsements from the left's top figures: Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Between the lines: Vindman spent much of the primary behaving as though November, not Nixon, was the only race he needed to worry about.
How it happened: Nixon had less money, but she had something Vindman's national fundraising couldn't buy: an organizing base and years of relationships inside Florida.
Zoom in: Nixon spent years cultivating a brand of confronting Republican power.
What's next: Republicans are expected to highlight Nixon's membership in the DSA.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
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