Florida Senate candidate Angie Nixon is distancing herself from the Democratic Socialists of America platform ahead of her general election matchup against Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL).
Nixon, who defeated centrist Democrat Alex Vindman in a major upset victory this week, is ditching the socialist label that she ran on in the Democratic primary, saying she joined the DSA as a card-carrying member mainly because of the group’s support for universal healthcare. She told NBC News on Thursday that she is a “capitalist who believes that we need some strong regulation.”
“I’m not a socialist,” Nixon told NBC. “I joined the DSA because I believe in them in regards to fighting for adequate public housing, as well as fighting for quality healthcare, as well as making sure that we are getting our veterans off the street, taking big money out of politics. The Democratic Party is a big tent. It is a big tent, and it’s an everybody party.”
“I live in a capitalistic society. I’m a small business owner. I like to make money. I don’t see what the problem is,” Nixon continued.
Nixon hammered home this point on Friday, telling Axios she does not believe in DSA agenda items such as abolishing prisons, celebrating former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, or defunding the police.
Though socialism is on the rise in the Democratic Party across the country, with leftist candidates such as Abdul el Sayed winning his Senate primary in Michigan and Darializa Avila Chevalier winning her House primary in New York, the Sunshine State is a more difficult place to sell socialism. Florida is home to many Cuban Americans who fled the island when it transitioned to a communist government to seek refuge in the United States. Over 60% of Cuban Americans live in Florida, according to the Pew Research Center.
Despite rejecting several DSA talking points and the “socialist” label, Nixon has embraced endorsements from leftists, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN).
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Incumbent Moody, who was tapped by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) to fill the unexpired term of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is largely expected to win in the general election given Florida’s red lean.
President Donald Trump defeated former Vice President Kamala Harris by 13.1 percentage points in 2024, and the race is ranked as a “Solid Republican” seat by election forecasters.