WASHINGTON — Candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, and others who are just on the farther left wing of the party, are riding a wave of momentum heading into the midterms.
We’ve seen it play out in New York, the Midwest, and now in one of the biggest races in Florida.
In a major upset victory in Florida’s Democratic Senate primary, state lawmaker Angie Nixon took home a convincing win against the presumed favorite, retired Lt. Col. Alex Vindman.
“The hardworking, everyday people of Florida sent a shock wave to Washington,” Nixon said. “We went up against the political establishment, against millions of dollars, out of sight spending. We were outspent 15-to-1 and we won!”
Nixon is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and is the latest addition to a growing tide of more left-leaning candidates winning Democratic across the country.
The newcomer progressives have notched other wins in house and senate primaries in New York, Colorado and Michigan.
Nixon’s Republican opponent, U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, is wasting no time jumping on the attack, warning the Democratic-socialist ideology is a threat to the country.
“Angie Nixon, who will be my opponent in November, and her comrades want to destroy this country and everything that it is built on,” said Moody.
The DSA platform, which included recent celebrations of former Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, is also facing resistance from establishment-backed Democrats.
South Florida Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who herself is up for re-election, says she disagrees with Nixon on multiple issues, but admits that her primary win is impressive and says Democrats need to rally around tackling high prices to win back control of congress.
“I reject the DSA, I reject the fringe left socialism they are promoting,” said Wasserman Schultz. “Members of congress I the house and senate that fight to make their lives more affordable, housing, groceries, gas, utilities, healthcare.”
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