TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Despite having significant fundraising advantages and endorsements from President Donald Trump, establishment-backed candidates faced unexpected challenges from Florida voters on Tuesday.
Democratic socialist Angie Nixon achieved a notable victory for progressives by defeating retired Lt. Col. Alex Vindman, who had a substantial fundraising lead. Additionally, two candidates endorsed by Trump, Rep. Cory Mills and former administration official Catalina Lauf, were unsuccessful in their congressional bids.
The results indicate a desire for change among Democratic and Republican voters in the predominantly conservative state of Florida, driven by dissatisfaction with the economy, a war in Iran, and general dissatisfaction with the current political climate.
“People are frustrated, frankly, with both parties,” expressed Blaise Ingoglia, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer and former legislator and chair of the Republican Party of Florida. “They’re frustrated with people not delivering. … They want people to deliver for Floridians. They want people to deliver for Americans.”
During the primary season, national Democrats closely monitored states across the country, seeking opportunities to gain seats and shift the balance of power in the upper chamber by November. Nixon’s win, despite her financial disadvantage, was an unforeseen development in Florida.
Nixon, a state lawmaker and community organizer from Jacksonville who recently joined the Democratic Socialists of America—though without their endorsement—secured over 55 percent of the vote. Her victory positions her to challenge GOP Sen. Ashley Moody, the former state attorney general appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Senate.
Addressing her supporters in Jacksonville, Nixon declared her victory had sent “shockwaves” through the Washington establishment.
“And they better get ready,” Nixon said. “When we realize that we are each other, we are not each other’s enemies, and that we are all struggling.”
Nixon was a vocal opponent of DeSantis and his allies in the state Legislature, particularly criticizing Florida’s unusual mid-decade redistricting. Her campaign advocated for progressive policies like free childcare and a national rent freeze, earning her the support of national progressives such as Democratic Reps. Maxwell Frost, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Ayanna Pressley.
Vindman, known for his role as a National Security Council whistleblower during Trump’s first impeachment trial, had amassed over $20 million in campaign funds, primarily from small-dollar donations. Nixon, on the other hand, raised less than $1 million but managed to overcome this financial disparity.
State Rep. Anna Eskamani, a progressive Democrat from Orlando, highlighted that Nixon’s campaign emphasized issues crucial to the working class, such as affordability and healthcare, which resonated with voters.
“It really just speaks to saying that money doesn’t determine everything,” Eskamani commented. “They’re tired of health care not being affordable and one job not being enough.”
Some Florida Republicans viewed Nixon’s victory as advantageous, believing a progressive candidate would be easier to defeat in the general election.
“It was a wild night in Florida politics,” said GOP Rep. Randy Fine at Rep. Byron Donalds’ victory celebration. “I mean, the Nixon win is the greatest gift ever. She’s crazy and should be in jail for the stuff she pulled on the House floor.”
Democratic strategist Fernand Amandi, representing David Jolly, who won the Democratic gubernatorial primary, saw Nixon’s win as a sign of frustration with the Republican Party’s long-standing control in Florida.
“It tells me that Democrats are uniting behind a message that holds a Republican Party that has total control over Florida government for 30 years responsible for the cost-of-living crisis that Floridians from all walks of life are suffering through,” Amandi stated. “It doesn’t matter which wing of the party — they are uniting behind the message.”
On the Republican front, Trump’s endorsement failed to secure victories in two key races. In Florida’s 19th District, Trump-backed Lauf, a former adviser at the U.S. Department of Commerce, lost to media executive Jim Schwartzel by approximately 7 points.
The race featured several former congressmen, including Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina and Chris Collins of New York.
In Florida’s 7th District, despite Trump’s early support, Mills was defeated by former TV anchor Ryan Elijah by a margin of about 12 percentage points.
Mills faced mounting pressure as he was under investigation by the House and had lost support from some GOP colleagues. Republicans like DeSantis and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna distanced themselves from Mills, who maintained his innocence amid multiple controversies, including a restraining order requested by a former girlfriend.
Mills had hoped Trump’s endorsement would help him succeed, but Elijah, who out-fundraised Mills and other GOP contenders, argued that a Mills victory would make the seat more vulnerable to Democrats.
In his victory speech, Elijah acknowledged the support he received from House Republicans, particularly Rep. Mike Haridopolos, and praised those who opposed a Trump-backed candidate.
“To have those leaders jump on board with us a couple weeks ago, against an incumbent and against a presidential endorsement, and they did that anyway,” Elijah said. “That is courage right there, and I applaud them for that.”
