Florida voters defied party leadership and presidential endorsements in Tuesday's primary, favoring insurgent candidates in both Democratic and Republican races.
Key facts
- •Angie Nixon won her primary with over 55 percent of the vote despite being significantly outspent by Alex Vindman.
- •Alex Vindman’s campaign raised more than $20 million, largely from small-dollar donors.
- •Ryan Elijah defeated incumbent Rep. Cory Mills by approximately 12 percentage points in the 7th District.
- •Jim Schwartzel defeated Trump-endorsed candidate Catalina Lauf by about 7 points in the 19th District.
- •Nixon is set to face GOP Sen. Ashley Moody in the upcoming general election.
Florida voters signaled widespread dissatisfaction with the political status quo on Tuesday by rejecting establishment-backed candidates in both parties. Despite significant fundraising advantages and endorsements from President Donald Trump, several high-profile contenders lost their bids. The results included a major upset by progressive Democrat Angie Nixon and the defeat of two Trump-endorsed Republican congressional candidates.
By the numbers
Democratic Upset in Florida
Democratic socialist Angie Nixon secured a victory over retired Lt. Col. Alex Vindman, despite Vindman holding a fundraising advantage that exceeded $20 million. Nixon, a state lawmaker and community organizer, campaigned on progressive policies such as free childcare and rent control, earning support from national figures like Reps. Maxwell Frost, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Ayanna Pressley. She finished with more than 55 percent of the vote and will face GOP Sen. Ashley Moody in November.
Republican Primary Shifts
In the Republican primaries, Trump-endorsed candidates struggled to secure wins. In the 19th District, former commerce adviser Catalina Lauf lost to media executive Jim Schwartzel by approximately 7 points. Meanwhile, in the 7th District, incumbent Rep. Cory Mills was defeated by former television anchor Ryan Elijah by about 12 percentage points. Mills had faced internal party pressure and investigations, and his loss occurred despite early backing from the former president.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Politico.
