Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville) secured a stunning upset over challenger Alexander Vindman with 56% of the vote to win the party's special senate nomination tonight.
Angie Nixon: 56%
Alexander Vindman: 44%
Rep. Nixon, a socialist Democrat, is currently a member of the Florida House of Representatives in District 13. She is also one of the more vocal representatives in the lower chamber, including after being arrested during a sit-in in May over Gov. Ron DeSantis's new Congressional map.
She celebrated her victory by thanking her voters on social media.
"We did it ya'll. Thank you to every person that put their heart into this campaign," Nixon wrote.
The Florida Democratic Party also celebrated Rep. Nixon's win.
"Angie Nixon is a proven fighter for Florida's families. In Tallahassee, she took on price-gouging grocery chains and Republicans’ rigged maps, and she will continue to fight the affordability crisis in the U.S. Senate. Congratulations to ​​@AngieNixon Florida’s Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate!"
Nixon pitched her U.S. Senate bid to The Floridian during an interview earlier this year.Â
Her victory likely sends a strong message to Florida Democrats' far-left base. Nixon was also endorsed by Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL), a well-known progressive and Gen-Z member of Congress in July.
Vindman, a former national security aide and key whistleblower during President Donald Trump's first impeachment, was arguably the more established candidate and reportedly outspent Nixon nearly 13/1 in the race.
Nixon will face Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL) in the U.S. Senate special election on Nov. 3. Moody easily defeated Chris Gleason, Neelam Perry, and Ernest Rivera with 80% of the vote.
The Florida GOP celebrated Sen. Moody's victory on social media.
"Congratulations to Senator @AshleyMoodyFL on securing the Republican Nomination for U.S. Senate! A proven America First fighter who always puts Florida first," the Florida GOP wrote. "Let’s send her back to the Senate to keep fighting for Florida! Onward to victory!"
Sen. Moody was appointed to the U.S. Senate by Gov. Ron DeSantis in January 2025 after Marco Rubio resigned to become secretary of state in the Trump administration. Moody previously served as Florida's Attorney General from 2019 to 2025.
Nixon is looking to become Florida's first elected Democrat in the U.S. Senate since Bill Nelson in 2012. Nelson, who served from 2001 to 2019, lost to Rick Scott in the 2018 Senate election.
Nixon announced her run for U.S. Senate in January. Moody is looking to finish out Rubio's full term until January 2029.
