Alexander Vindman, the former National Security Council aide who played a central role in President Donald Trump's first impeachment, is seeking vindication by challenging Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL) for her seat.
In a video ad titled Patriot, Vindman calls President Trump a "wannabe tyrant," accusing his administration of unleashing "thug militias" against Americans and failing to address issues related to tariffs, health care premiums, and Florida homeowners.
Vindman says he is running for the Senate because Senator Moody was chosen solely to support the Trump administration. "She's not Florida's senator," Vindman argues.
On his campaign website, Vindman's campaign claims that "our system is rigged and Ashley Moody was hand-picked by the political elites who rigged it. She screwed Florida homeowners by caving to the big insurance companies, supported this administration that gutted disaster help for communities trying to rebuild, and had over a million dollars in her corporate stock traded last year while she had access to insider information only Congress gets."
In his campaign video, Vindman highlights his 21 years in the Army, his experience with serving under both Republican and Democratic presidents, and his commitment to ensuring "no one is above the law."
Vindman joins a crowded Democratic primary that includes former Brevard Public Schools school board member Jennifer Jenkins and state Rep. Angie Nixon (D-FL), who announced her candidacy last week.
Vindman gained prominence after testifying before Congress about President Trump's 2019 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The call made headlines after President Trump was accused of suggesting he would withhold aid to Ukraine unless the country launched an investigation into then-presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.
Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Senator Moody -- who was serving as Florida's attorney general at the time -- to the Senate after then-Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) was chosen to serve as Secretary of State in the Trump administration.
