Angie Nixon lands Bernie Sanders' $250k Florida check
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is sending the Florida Democratic Party $250,000 to boost U.S. Senate nominee Angie Nixon, a Democratic Socialists of America member whose closely watched race has pulled wary national cash and odd political alliances into a deep-red state. The check is small by Sunshine State standards, but it marks a rare bridge between the party's moderate leaders and Sanders' left flank.
Key Takeaways
- Sanders is routing $250,000 to the Florida Democratic Party for Angie Nixon's Senate bid.
- Broke state Democrats long resisted Sanders-aligned socialists, but financial need forced a thaw.
- Nixon remains close in polling to Sen. Ashley Moody despite being vastly outraised.
- Some Florida Democrats call the deal "strange bedfellows" and say $250,000 is not enough.
- Sanders has also dispatched staff to help with literature, texting and phone-banking.
What did Bernie Sanders give Angie Nixon?
According to Axios, Sanders is contributing $250,000 to the Florida Democratic Party through a "victory fund" shared with Nixon's campaign. The Vermont independent, sitting on a roughly $23 million war chest, has framed the gift as part of his largest direct candidate-related contributions of the cycle.
CNN reports the Florida transfer sits alongside similar help for Minnesota Senate hopeful Peggy Flanagan, as Sanders shifts from primary barnstorming to general-election cash. Politico earlier flagged plans to boost Nixon after months of progressive primary wins.
Sanders endorsed Nixon two days after her upset primary victory. She is challenging appointed Sen. Ashley Moody for a full term in a state Donald Trump carried by 13 points in 2024.
Why are Florida Democrats taking Sanders' money?
Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried never asked Sanders for help, Axios reported, citing ideological friction and worry that socialist branding hurts with Hispanic voters. When Sanders signaled he was ready to give anyway, Fried did not block it.
"Angie's going to turn out our base," Fried privately told skeptics, arguing every dollar for Nixon also helps gubernatorial nominee David Jolly and down-ballot races. The state party is essentially broke after decades out of power, and national establishment groups had largely refused to spend in Florida's 10 costly media markets.
Not everyone is sold. Rep. Lois Frankel asked for more of Sanders' fund. Another Democrat grumbled that Republicans will attack them for "Bernie socialist money" while they "are not even getting enough of it," calling the pairing "strange bedfellows." South Miami Mayor Javier Fernandez warned rallying around Sanders could hurt long-term prospects.
Is Angie Nixon's Senate race suddenly competitive?
Despite being outraised, Nixon and Jolly have stayed stubbornly close to Moody and Rep. Byron Donalds in recent polling, Axios found. Nixon told a liberal podcast that DSCC chair Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand held a fundraiser for her, and she said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer might yet free up money after she publicly pressed him.
Sanders' organizers are already on the ground. The state party claims about 6,000 volunteers who helped flip 46 local seats in two years, and Democrats say they are keeping pace with Republicans on registration gains. Republicans still hold a registration edge of more than 1.5 million and insist Florida stays red.
Nixon campaign manager Eunic Epstein-Ortiz said Sanders "sees the opportunity" and believes the race is worth investing in. For more Florida oddities and political curveballs, browse our Bizarre News & Florida Man hub.