Angie Nixon goes on offense against Alex Vindman and Democratic establishment in Senate race

State Rep. Angie Nixon is facing challenges in fundraising and visibility against Lt. Col. Alex Vindman in the race for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, but new comments from Nixon show she wants to change that.

In a post on X, Nixon argued that she’s the only potential Democratic opponent who can flip the seat held by Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, without mentioning Vindman by name.

“Quiet, timid, status quo leadership is not going to beat Ashley Moody come November. I don’t care how much establishment money or Chuck Schumer money you have behind you. They’re not going to win,” Nixon said.

“We need to elect people for the primary who are going to motivate people, who aren’t afraid to work, who aren’t afraid to go talk to people and meet them where they are.”

Nixon continued her remarks in the same vein.

“This is what it is, y’all. I am not bought by corporations. I am not receiving AIPAC funding. I’m the only person that’s spoken out against the gutting of the Voting Rights Act. I’m the only person that’s spoken out against the attacks on members of the LGBTQ community, the attacks on women’s rights,” Nixon said.

“I need your support. We have momentum. I’m excited.”

Nixon amplified her argument in comments to Florida Politics on Wednesday, confirming that she was referring to Vindman, as she tried to frame the race as one of an institutionally protected centrist up against a progressive firebrand, a template familiar to those following Democratic Primaries this cycle.

She said she wanted a debate with Vindman and has been frustrated by nothing coming together so far, claiming that he didn’t want to appear on stage with her and that organizations seeking debates have been “ghosted.”

Vindman’s campaign frames it differently, noting no announcements or decisions have been made about debates.

While it indeed is early in the cycle, Democrats in Florida have been deprived of Primary debates or even symbolic choices in recent cycles. In 2022, Val Demings earned the Senate nomination without a debate. In 2024, President Joe Biden won the state’s convention votes for a second term without even a ballot test.

It’s uncertain what money associated with AIPAC or Schumer, insofar as can be determined, has come into Vindman’s campaign. The former appears to be in direct opposition to his candidacy.

The pro-Israel lobby group has endorsed Moody, and she has benefited from at least $85,000 from “pro-Israel PACs” according to Track AIPAC. No AIPAC donors have given Vindman money according to the most recent records. AIPAC typically backs one candidate in a given race.

When Vindman reported first-quarter fundraising, his campaign said 99% of donations came from small donors, at an average of $39.44 for the quarter, with 27,600 donations from donors based in Florida.

Still, Nixon said “voters have questions about who he is and where his money is coming from.”

Her critiques didn’t stop there.

She said Florida Democratic Party (FDP) Chair Nikki Fried and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz have been ‘walking Vindman around,’ further showing he is the establishment candidate, and asserting that she believes there “absolutely” is an attempt to rig the race for the preferred candidate.

A spokesperson for the FDP deemed such claims “out of left field” and “false” and declared the party “neutral” in this Primary, saying it has offered support to both candidates.

Those close to the Vindman campaign say that appearing at the same forum with someone is not tantamount to being walked around by that person.

Nixon also said her opponent hasn’t talked about meaningful issues, including LGBTQ+ rights, the erosion of the Voting Rights Act and Florida’s recent redistricting, or Medicare for All, relying on a “vague platform.”

“I want to know where he stands,” she said.

Vindman’s camp notes there is an issues page on his website for reference, and believes that the candidate’s positions are clear, particularly in contrast to the incumbent.

“Alex is not a career politician — he’s a 21-year combat veteran who is fighting for everyday Floridians who are being crushed by skyrocketing costs because corrupt politicians like Ashley Moody are spending their time in D.C. cozying up to special interests instead of working for us,” said spokesperson Albert Fujii.

For his part, Vindman seems to be looking increasingly toward November and surfing a potential blue wave against Moody, an often underestimated political quantity who has already won statewide twice, outperforming other Republicans who shared the ballot when she ran for Attorney General.

During a recent interview, Vindman said “the electorate is ready for change, they are ready for a fighter that will represent their interests, not corporate interests, not the billionaire class like my opponent Ashley Moody.”

He pointed out a “stark contrast” between Moody and him, saying he has “character and integrity” that “the appointed Senator” lacks.