DSA-endorsed and progressive challengers faced incumbent-backed Democrats in Florida's Aug. 18 primaries for the 25th and 20th Congressional Districts and the U.S. Senate special election; all three races were decided on Aug. 18.
State Rep. Angie Nixon, a Democratic Socialists of America member, defeated former National Security Council aide Alex Vindman in Florida's August 18 Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate special election, 55.7% to 44.3% with 88% of votes counted, per the Associated Press. Vindman, recruited by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, raised more than $16 million to Nixon's roughly $975,000 through July 29 and issued an election-night statement supporting Nixon. Nixon faces Republican Sen. Ashley Moody, who won her primary with nearly 80% of the vote, in the November special election.
The seat is a special election for the final two years of the term Marco Rubio won in 2022; Moody holds it as Gov. DeSantis's appointee.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz won the Democratic primary in Florida's redrawn 25th Congressional District over DSA-endorsed challenger Oliver Larkin, taking more than two-thirds of the vote. Moskowitz said in his victory statement, "I faced a challenge from the DSA. They threw everything at me and I didn't change who I am or what I believe…" Larkin conceded Tuesday night and said he committed to helping Democrats win the seat in November; former Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer won the Republican nomination.
The Cook Political Report rates FL-25 a toss-up; Trump carried the areas that make up the redrawn district by nine points in 2024.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz won the Democratic primary in Florida's redrawn 20th District with 50.5% of the vote with 67% counted, over Dale V.C. Holness at 21.1% and self-described democratic socialist Elijah Manley at 12.8%; the AP called the race at 7:24 p.m., minutes after polls closed. Manley had campaigned against her AIPAC support; JTA reported that FEC filings in the race link at least $250,000 to AIPAC.
Newsweek · on Florida's Aug. 18 Democratic primary challenges
Newsweek reported on three candidates it described as insurgents on Florida's Aug. 18 Democratic primary ballot: democratic socialist Oliver Larkin against Rep. Jared Moskowitz in the redrawn 25th District, Elijah Manley against Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz in the 20th, and state Rep. Angie Nixon against Alexander Vindman for the U.S. Senate special election. Vindman has reported raising $16.7 million to Nixon's roughly $625,000, and Manley said he has been outspent by $650,000 from two super PACs. Prediction markets priced Moskowitz at 88 to 90 percent to win his nomination and Vindman near 94 percent.
The Sun Sentinel reported Larkin is endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America; polls close Tuesday, Aug. 18.
The "Chomp the Oligarchy" rally in Fort Lauderdale on Aug. 14, sponsored by the Florida Youth Justice Coalition, Gen-Z For Change, and the Broward and Miami-Dade DSA chapters to promote candidates Oliver Larkin, Elijah Manley, and Angie Nixon, drew hundreds of attendees, with Rep. Rashida Tlaib appearing. Two venues canceled after Tlaib was added to the lineup, and the final venue's owner said he received 600 messages opposing his hosting the event. Elected officials and party leaders quoted in the piece said 300 people at a rally "does not portend sweeping change"; Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said Broward Democrats are not "moving towards embracing the fringe left."
Organizers announced Tlaib's addition to the lineup on Monday, Aug. 10, after which the rally's first two venues canceled.