Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) threw his support behind Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon on Thursday, days after she pulled off a surprise victory in the state's Democratic Senate primary.
In a post on social media, Sanders hailed Nixon's win as proof that grassroots organizing can overcome financial disadvantages. "Angie Nixon is proof that organized people can take on organized money — and win. Outspent more than 16 to 1, she won in a landslide," he wrote. "Working people all over this country are sick and tired of status quo politics and status quo policies. They want change, real change."
Nixon, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, was the first to announce the endorsement, saying she was "deeply honored" to have Sanders's backing. She noted that she had campaigned for him in 2016 and is now ready to carry that progressive fight forward.
The endorsement comes after Nixon defeated Alex Vindman, a former National Security Council official who gained fame as a witness in President Trump's first impeachment trial, by more than 12 points in Tuesday's primary. Her victory has energized the left and highlighted the ongoing tension between the party's progressive and establishment wings.
Nixon now faces Republican incumbent Sen. Ashley Moody, who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in January 2025 to fill the seat vacated by Marco Rubio when he joined the Trump administration. The election will determine who serves the final two years of Rubio's term.
In a CBS Mornings interview Wednesday, Nixon called for party unity, saying "people want the same things" despite differing labels. Her primary win is part of a broader wave of progressive victories in Democratic primaries across the country, as candidates like her challenge incumbents and establishment favorites.
Sanders's endorsement is likely to boost Nixon's fundraising and national profile as she heads into a tough general election against Moody, who has the backing of the state's Republican establishment. The race is seen as a bellwether for the influence of progressive politics in a key swing state.
Nixon's campaign has focused on economic populism, healthcare access, and climate action, themes that resonate with Sanders's base. Her upset win has also drawn attention to the progressive energy in Florida's Democratic Party, even as some national Democrats worry about electability in a state that has trended Republican in recent cycles.
Meanwhile, the rift between progressives and moderates is likely to be a central theme in the coming months, as both sides vie for control of the party's direction. Sanders's endorsement is a clear signal that he intends to support candidates like Nixon who challenge the status quo.
Nixon's victory also comes amid turmoil in Florida's GOP primary, where a polling aggregator dropped a firm over alleged data tampering. The state's political landscape remains volatile as both parties prepare for the general election.
