Progressive Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon has pulled off a major upset in the Democratic primary for US Senate, defeating former National Security Council aide Alex Vindman, according to projections from multiple networks on Tuesday. Nixon will face Republican Sen. Ashley Moody in the general election.
Vindman, a retired lieutenant colonel and Iraq War veteran who became nationally known after testifying during President Donald Trump's 2019 impeachment hearings, had been considered the strong favorite heading into Tuesday's primary. Nixon, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, campaigned as a progressive challenger seeking to demonstrate that insurgent left-wing politics could succeed in Florida.
Nixon repeatedly criticized Vindman over his relatively recent move to Florida, making his residency a central issue in the primary.
Nixon is anti-Israel and received backing from Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), a member of the "Squad" of anti-Israel progressives and herself a prominent critic of Israel.
In November 2023, one month after the October 7 massacre, Nixon introduced a resolution in the Florida House calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. During debate, she claimed Israel had already "killed 10,000 Palestinians" and asked, "How many will be enough?" The resolution was overwhelmingly defeated, 104-2.
Nixon had also been scheduled last week to appear at a Democratic Socialists of America campaign event featuring Tlaib. The event was canceled by The Venue Fort Lauderdale after the Jewish-owned establishment reviewed the gathering and cited security concerns.
The venue explained that it is "Jewish-owned and operated" and that its "values and commitment to the Jewish community are deeply important to us."
Management said its decision followed "increased security concerns" as well as a review of promotional materials for the event.
In other Florida Democratic primaries, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is projected to win the nomination in the redrawn 20th District, which had been represented by Black lawmakers for more than three decades. Rep. Jared Moskowitz is projected to defeat a Democratic socialist in the 25th District.