Former President Barack Obama endorsed Angie Nixon’s (D-FL) bid to unseat Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL) on Saturday, marking his support for the progressive insurgent’s uphill battle in the red state.
Obama’s formal backing comes after Nixon, who is black, alleged earlier this week that assumptions about Florida being perceived as racist had held back Democratic support for her campaign.
In a short video message released days before voters head to the polls, Obama hailed Nixon’s fight against redistricting efforts favoring the GOP, and her support for a $15 minimum wage, saying, “Angie has spent her career standing up for you.”
“Real change starts when regular folks stand up for what’s right,” Obama said. “She was on the front lines, trying to stop it. Different issues, different moments. One leader, willing to stand up again and again for what’s right. That’s why I believe Angie will be an outstanding U.S. senator.”
Obama’s endorsement comes as he was the last Democratic presidential candidate to win Florida, formerly considered a purple state. Nixon, a state representative and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, said she was “honored” by the endorsement in a post to X.
Her win against Alex Vindman, a nationally recognized Democrat with a significant fundraising advantage, in Florida’s August primary garnered significant attention, as it signaled the rising power of progressives in the state.
Obama’s involvement in the Florida race comes after he endorsed David Jolly (D-FL) in the state’s gubernatorial election. Jolly, a more centrist Democrat, is mounting a spirited challenge to his Republican opponent Byron Donalds to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL).
Florida isn’t the only state Obama has dabbled with in the midterm elections. On Saturday, he set out to hold a series of events backing Democrats in Ohio and Michigan.
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In Ohio, lines on Saturday morning wrapped for blocks around the Cleveland Public Auditorium for Obama’s rally with Democratic Senate nominee Sherrod Brown and gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton.
Later in the day, Obama is headed to Detroit to campaign with Democrat Senate nominee Abdul el Sayed, who is embroiled in a tight campaign against GOP candidate Mike Rogers.