Alex Vindman lands Miami health care union’s endorsement in Senate bid

Alex Vindman is banking another labor endorsement in his uphill Senate run — this one from the nurses and doctors who staff South Florida’s busiest public hospital.

SEIU Local 1991, the Miami union representing thousands of health care workers across Jackson Health System, is backing Vindman’s Democratic campaign for U.S. Senate, the campaign announced. It’s the second union to line up behind him in short order, following the Southern Regional Council of Carpenters, one of Florida’s largest trade unions.

The pitch, from the union’s side, is as much about character as it is about health care.

“Florida deserves leaders with the courage to do what’s right, even when it’s difficult,” said Martha Baker, President and Executive Director of SEIU 1991.

“Alex Vindman risked the career he spent 20 years building because he refused to stay silent in the face of a president’s abuse of power. That kind of integrity and commitment to our democracy is exactly what Florida needs in Congress. SEIU 1991 is proud to endorse Alex Vindman for United States Senator.”

Vindman, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who became a household name during Donald Trump’s first impeachment, returned the compliment and aimed a jab at his likely General Election opponent.

“SEIU 1991 is the backbone of South Florida’s health care system and I am honored to receive their support,” Vindman said.

“Every day, our nurses, doctors, and health care workers witness the devastating impact of the health care crisis career politicians like Ashley Moody have created in Florida. I refuse to sit on the sidelines. In the U.S. Senate, I’ll fight every day to lower health care costs, expand health care coverage, and ensure our health care workers have the resources they need to care for hardworking Floridians.”

The endorsement slots neatly into the Florida First Agenda Vindman has built his campaign around — expanding access to affordable care and driving down prescription drug prices, paired with a labor plank that includes passing the PRO Act and expanding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to support workers.

The support is welcome for a Democrat with a steep climb. Moody, whom Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed to the seat in early 2025 after Marco Rubio left for the State Department, holds the advantages of incumbency and Florida’s GOP registration edge. Recent public polling has ranged from a near-tie to a mid-single-digit Moody lead, keeping Vindman within striking distance heading into the Fall.

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Ed. note: This story was drafted with assistance from AI. Editorial judgment, sourcing, and final review were performed by Peter Schorsch and the Florida Politics editorial team.