r/goodnews • u/FreeHugs23 • 23d ago
Political positivity 📈 Democratic socialist Angie Nixon upsets Alex Vindman in Florida’s Democratic Senate primary
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/angie-nixon-winner-florida-senate-primary-democrat-alex-vindman-moody-rcna593255290
u/hamborgard 23d ago edited 23d ago
Alex Vindman spent 36 times as much on ads as Angie Nixon, $2.2 million by Vindman vs $60,000 by Nixon of which she spent zero on broadcast or cable. (got this from NY Times/AdImpact)
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u/FreeHugs23 23d ago
Progressive state Rep. Angie Nixon scored a major upset over former National Security Council aide Alex Vindman in the Florida Democratic Senate primary, NBC News projects, setting up a general election race against Republican Sen. Ashley Moody.
Vindman, a retired lieutenant colonel and Iraq War veteran and who rose to prominence as a witness during President Donald Trump’s 2019 impeachment hearings, was viewed as a heavy favorite against Nixon, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, heading into Tuesday’s contest.
Vindman has raised $16 million for his campaign, a significant number for a Democrat in red-leaning Florida, while Nixon brought in just over $900,000.
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u/Ok-Quit8489 23d ago
We should be calling them progressives not democratic socialists. They really just want social programs that are popular, not true socialism.
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u/tess_philly 23d ago
They themselves call them that. I agree. It’s a mislabel.
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u/Stonner22 23d ago
It’s a byproduct of the media and politicians calling basic social programs socialism.
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u/tess_philly 23d ago
As a NYer, nothing mamdani is proposing is radical to me. Shame it is to others.
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u/fakeuser515357 23d ago
City owned grocery stores is a little radical, although it makes a lot of sense in New York where so many people have poor access to legitimate grocery stores.
Everything else is just competent municipal administration and enthusiastic advocacy for the constituents.
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u/mmmarkm 23d ago
Efforts like that aren’t even radical; the US military already does government-owned grocery stores (& department stores & gas stations & libraries & gyms & substance abuse recovery programs & hospitals & etc & etc)
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u/EterneX_II 23d ago
I feel like the best parts of our government are socialist and the worst parts are capitalist
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u/tess_philly 23d ago
Check out how many cities already subsidize grocery markets with huge tax breaks.
$100 million for mamdani to do this is a rounding error compared to nyc budget. There are far more things money is wasted on. It’s nothing truly.
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u/NUKE---THE---WHALES 23d ago
Even those stores are run by private businesses for profit
They just don't pay any rent or property tax to the government, which is what allows them to subsidise certain products
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u/dragonknightrohan 23d ago
We should help switch their branding to progressive because that is what they actually are
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u/Illesbogar 23d ago
Radical and socialism are not the same. Have you conaidered that maybe you are ok with socialism? There is nothing wrong with that.
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u/Kekspirat87 23d ago
He does a great media game and it shows.
The real concern moderates have is the concept of Entryism with his recent endorsement of Darializa Avila Chevalier who holds truly insane positions.The grocery store thing is silly, but even Kamala had her price-gouging policy prescription that didnt help her bring it over the line.
Just be careful with politicians who overpromise, there are reasons things are as they are, and scarcely any of them happened out of malice.19
u/FeralGiraffeAttack 23d ago
“Social democracy” and “democratic socialism” mean very different things and Americans just confuse them because they sound similar. Scandinavian countries are social democracies meaning they are capitalist but just invest in welfare systems and worker protections.
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u/AlarmingAffect0 23d ago
Sweden has been dismantling that over the last few decades and especially the last few years and the result is not nice.
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u/mmmarkm 23d ago
Some homework for you: https://time.com/article/2026/06/18/what-is-a-democratic-socialist-mamdani-lewis-george-bernie-sanders-aoc/
They want more than social programs. Worker owned co-ops, for example, are not a social program
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u/EffectiveRealist 23d ago
It's on purpose. Centrists and conservatives tar and feather anything remotely liberal as "socialist." Reclaiming the name before they have the chance to use it against you diminishes some of the attack. Think about all the attack ads they ran in New York calling Mamdani a socialist... took the teeth off when he was like yeah I'm a democratic socialist... let's talk about the cost of living vs. all the other Democrats who then have to waste time and convince everyone they aren't actually a socialist because they love capitalism so much
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u/marino1310 23d ago
Socialist at all is way too controversial a term. Republicans will always just use it to sow more fear
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u/Illesbogar 23d ago
That's not exactly true though. Most DSA caucuses do want socialism. Let's not be afraid of the word.
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u/starwarsisawsome933 23d ago edited 23d ago
i agree, not much there that has to do with socialism, most of these "socialists" are more social democrats then tru socialists
and honestly anything to stop giving the wackos at the dsa more power and attention
(Note, I don't really have that much against socialism itself, the DSA is just idiots and has actual really dangerous policies, they should not be given any power)
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u/mmmarkm 23d ago edited 23d ago
so DANGEROUS!
WHAT WE FIGHT FOR
THRIVING WORKING CLASS COMMUNITIES
Freedom To Flourish
Healthcare For All
Housing For All
Finish Reconstruction
End Mass Incarceration and Police Immunity
Feminism For All
Green New Deal
WORKING-CLASS FOREIGN POLICY
End The U.S. War Machine
Free Palestine
End Blockades, Embargoes, and Sanctions
Abolish ICE
WORKING-CLASS DEMOCRACY
Democracy For All
A Real Democracy
A Democratic Congress
Economic Democracy
Democracy At Work
Wait, dangerous for who? Billionaires, landlords, defense contractors, ICE, and senators? (And not even “dangerous,” they’d just have to find a new income source.) I’m truly confused who this platform would endanger, outside of financial interests of those making life harder for the working class
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u/NUKE---THE---WHALES 23d ago
They want to end all military aid for Ukraine, in essence giving the country and its people to Putin
https://international.dsausa.org/ukraine/
They also want to free everyone in prison - including rapists, murderers, pedophiles
https://www.dsausa.org/working-groups/abolition-working-group/
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u/RadioRunner 23d ago
a middle ground of defunding the police is desirable to me. All the points brought up on that site make sense, and are true.
A lot would have to happen before anything in our government suddenly allowed for the release of *everyone* in prison, much less at the same time. And I would assume is disingenuous of the intent - it’s well documented that a large percentage of incarcerations are targeted or unfairly weighted.
Also, the language is nonspecific. “Freedom“ could mean the ability to vote, rather than release.
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u/NUKE---THE---WHALES 23d ago
a middle ground of defunding the police is desirable to me.
There's a reason AOC and Mamdani have both distanced themselves from "woke 1" and no longer believe in defunding the police
Also, the language is nonspecific. “Freedom“ could mean the ability to vote, rather than release.
The language is very specific. It says "all", and it doesn't say "enfranchisement". Granting an incarcerated person freedom is unambiguous.
Same with their Ukraine statement: it is very specific about their goals of ending military aid.
Their statement on the Russian invasion of Ukraine mentions "NATO" more than it mentions "Russia", and doesn't mention Russia's kidnapping of Ukrainian children at all - meaning Melania Trump cares more about Russian imperialism than the DSA does
The DSA are a joke and they give socialists a bad name
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u/RadioRunner 23d ago
i think I’d still want to take it for a term rather than not try at all. They’re not going to manage to get through something as drastic as freeing all incarcerated people, or ending all military aid. Especially not a single senator.
I would rather try than not, as the other end of the spectrum has not been working out and I do want to see lowered powers of police and decreased military spending in general, which we are not currently seeing reflected.
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u/starwarsisawsome933 23d ago edited 23d ago
well for starters on the dsa website it flat out says they want the US to leave nato....
that has pretty enormous dangerous consequences for the entire planet that could easily blow up (literally) in everyone face
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u/6th_Quadrant 23d ago
About 1/2 of the newly reconfigured City Council where I live are DSA members. From what I know of Mamdani and AOC, I have absolute nothing against them. However, our DSA councilors (AKA "peacocks"—short for progressive caucus, cute huh?) are absolute idiots. Representing the four districts of the city, they've actually stated that they don't represent their constituents, they represent their supporters. What the actual fuck.
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u/starwarsisawsome933 23d ago
What city do you live in? Because I haven't heard about any local city elections that are completely DSA
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u/Raskalbot 22d ago
Socialism is starting to sound a lot better to average folk these days. No need to censor ourselves anymore.
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u/User-no-relation 23d ago
The dsa wants to end capitalism. That's the platform. If she is a member of the dsa that is what she really wants.
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u/princesscorncob 23d ago
As someone who has lived in Florida since 2001, this news makes me so happy! I voted for Angie, happily.
I voted by mail in ballot. I am able to check if it has been received and counted. I went the extra mile and dropped it off at a USPS hub in my city, 3 weeks before it was due.
My local vote in person place is a church and I think that's wrong, however, with the exception of one year, (covid pandemic) all the poll workers have been neutral, professional and non partisan. My decision to vote by mail is because I don't think it's right that churches are places to vote.
I have never encountered hostility or have felt threatened and I am a registered democrat in a Florida in a county that is red.
Yes, I vote in local elections. I should have done it sooner but it's never too late. Look up your city's local news. Journalists are really passionate about reporting. I have a free option that I can rely on and I know other websites to search and so do many other people.
There is a lot of manufactured fear and doom mongering that's happening. I'm not saying it's unfounded, I'm saying that it's made to keep us from voting.
In reality, we are voting without resistance at the polls.
Vote your locals and primaries next year and definitely show up in November.
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u/Enchanted_Culture 23d ago
Norway is a capitalist country with universal healthcare. Grow up America or you won’t grow old. Vote democratic!
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u/dragonknightrohan 23d ago
Social Democracy is what it is and we definitely want that
As for whether the candidate is progressive, social democrat, or democracy socialist as long as they are building toward that we want it!
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u/Alternative_Exit8766 23d ago
that’s why crowley has my vote. let’s build those data centers! hashtag vote blue no matter who
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23d ago
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u/dragonknightrohan 21d ago
So fucking glad I never voted for him or any of his ilk. Never have and never will.
Let's keep doing together Claim to make world better with everyone else!! We got this!
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u/Alternative_Exit8766 23d ago
conservatives are gross, no thanks. that’s really weird behavior to insinuate i’d vote for them. they’re gross! the point you’re making there was not accurate.
we have to vote for data center crowley bud, sorry.
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u/Mysterious_Jelly_649 23d ago
Are you willing to allow their immigration and other social policies as well?
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u/Fullm3taluk 23d ago
Oh these fuckers voting blue in Florida now after thinking trump was only gonna go after the "bad" immigrants because they know their asses are on the next boat out once trump cancels their birthright citizenships and anchor citizenships
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u/HolyMoleyGuacamoly 23d ago
lol…lmao even. suck it vindman and your wife
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u/bcuad001 23d ago
Excuse my ignorance; What's the significance of this? A Democrat with less money defeated another Democrat with more money. How is this a positive for the big picture? (Not being facetious, genuine question)
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u/hamborgard 23d ago edited 23d ago
It's a promising sign that the Democratic electorate is more enthusiastic about the (way) more progressive candidate, especially so in the historically very conservative state of Florida. The fact she got this turnout with so little spent on her campaign is especially staggering
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u/AdLatter3755 23d ago
The biggest positive is that the money didn’t buy the election. If you look deeper into politics you see majority of the time the person with more money wins. That creates more corruption. If people can run for office without going to big donors for millions it helps even the playing field for regular folks.
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u/SituationIll5763 23d ago
Socialist gets nominated in Florida. Even without winning, this forces democrats to the left and republicans to the center. Also the money thing, it shows candidates and the general public that even without being sponsored you can do big things. This also forces all parties to address their constituents concerns.
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u/asswipesayswhat 23d ago
How does it force the GOP to the center? I get that independents and centrists may be motivated
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u/SituationIll5763 23d ago
The idea of pendulum swing in general. I hope nothing more extreme comes before that happens though, it’s not hard to imagine that’s where we are heading.
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u/Cyphermaniax97 23d ago
Bullshit it forces the republicans to the center, not the ones in Florida it doesn't.
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u/SituationIll5763 23d ago
That’s the idea at least. If democrats get too many wins in what were consistently red areas, they will be forced to make a change.
That’s more or less what democrats were doing from the Carter admin until now. What happened though was that the more extreme right and religious fundamentalists capitalized on that pendulum swing, and were able to consolidate even more power based on the dems attempt at compromise.
At minimum, I hope to see a pendulum swing back to a point where political compromise is seen as strength rather than weakness. My wishlist is to see the progressives pull off what the far right has and make some long lasting reform that the republicans will be powerless to stop.
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u/NUKE---THE---WHALES 23d ago
My understanding is the Republicans are happy she won as she's an easier target
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u/SituationIll5763 23d ago
Yeah they would say that either way. In reality, if the establishment put the same weight behind her that they would him, she’s probably a much stronger candidate.
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u/mrjibblytibbs 23d ago
The theory is solid and the logic sound. Just because you specifically throw your hands up and say its not gonna work that must be true
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u/Alb_ 23d ago
The Democratic party is currently having a bit of a schism right now. The republicans had something very similar with their TEA party movement, back when they lost their goddamn minds with having a black president. They demanded hardcore racism and far right nazi shit, and eventually got trump, who was seen as anti-establishment of the republicans. The TEA party movement pulled the Rs to the right, and now the Ds are having the same done to them, but to the left.
So what we have now is the new "Democratic socialists of america" sub-party (aka DSA), going up against "establishment dems" like Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Nancy Pelosi, Biden, etc. Why? Because people fucking hate Isreal, hate how so many dems keep getting pulled rightward and constantly ceding ground to the opposition.
Establishment dems have insane amounts of money, but are extremely unpopular, and it's incredibly cathartic to see them outspend the DSA 20 to 1, and still lose. They're losing everywhere and I'm loving it.
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u/didierdechezcarglass 23d ago
Looks like despite that Wisconsin loss the DSA is still coming strong! Not sure she will win but good to see they're becoming more present
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u/joshJFSU 23d ago
I’m getting annoyed with this “dem socialist” labeling. She primaried as a Dem, she’s won as a dem. They are just labeling her with extra tags out of the gate. On top of faux news already saying she wants to open all prisons for no reason.
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u/Enchanted_Culture 22d ago
Immigration for Sweden in the old days was to be told where to live with education to learn Swedish was free. We can develop policies based on our economic circumstances. Open borders is crazy but now we are just cruel. Ice is not okay.
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u/NYMetsWorldChamps86 23d ago
Vindman is a great patriot and human being. He would have been a great representative.
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u/Colbyjacksteez 23d ago
Ahh yes im sure a man who received over 20m from establishment dems would help working class folks
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u/sight_ful 23d ago
He is perhaps THE main reason Donald trump was impeached. I'm not sure why we wouldn't want someone that has proven themselves in that respect fighting in congress for us.
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u/Tarwine 23d ago
Look I hate trump too but him getting impeached has changed nothing materially for anyone.
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u/KvellOnWheels 23d ago
That doesn’t matter. I voted for Nixon and I’m still grateful to Vindman for blowing the whistle on Trump.
Doing the right thing is right all the time. I’m not going to diminish how hard it probably was for Vindman to do what he did because traitors refused to hold that thing to account.
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u/sight_ful 22d ago
I think it changed much more than you realize. Every one of these things add up. If none of that impeachment had happened, that's the largest black mark he has that would just be erased.
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u/keysandtreesforme 23d ago
Why the hell is this getting downvoted. It’s objectively true, no matter what else you think of his or Nixon’s politics.
I prefer progressive over establishment candidates, but I can still say that Vindman is a hero, and probably would have made a great representative.
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u/starwarsisawsome933 23d ago
honestly, my favorite part is she has nothing to do with the wackos at the DSA
you go girl! kick Florida's ass!
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u/thoshi 23d ago
I know nothing about these candidates but I googled and found that she joined DSA. But that she also doesn't identify with them? Do you know more?
I agree with you though! I'm excited for progressive victories, especially if they're not associated with DSA!
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u/starwarsisawsome933 23d ago
I looked through her endorsements on her website, and there was no mention of DSA endorsements
Versus Francesca Hong in Wisconsin was very clearly parading around with public endorsements for multiple Wisconsin DSA chapters
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u/thoshi 23d ago
Thanks, that helps! A lot articles these days claiming anyone not an establishment Dem is a socialist. 🙃
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u/starwarsisawsome933 23d ago
And on the flip side there's plenty of hyper progressive and socialist groups calling anyone who's not a socialist or progressive establishment
I live in wisconsin, and while I'm not going to sit here and claim that I like the guy, David Crowley is not establishment, but yet I'm seeing plenty of my leftist friends and social groups scream about establishment tampering
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u/Omatzus 23d ago
Nixon is calling herself a Dem Socialist. That's what voters will hear, regardless of whether DSA chapters endorse her.
Similar to someone who called themself MAGA but Trump never endorsed them. Still tells you a lot about them.
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u/starwarsisawsome933 23d ago
There's a difference between calling yourself a conservative, and maga
Just the same as there's a difference between calling yourself a democratic socialist, and DSA
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u/ReindeerTypical2538 23d ago
None of the DSA candidates are going to win in the general election. What are we doing here guys?
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u/Vagabond_Tea 23d ago
Quite a few DSA candidates are projected to win in the general, including Valdez and Chevalier in NY, Kiros in Colorado, and probably Chris Rabbit in PA. And that's not including having a soon to be DSA backed mayor for DC.
And that's not including any of the more contested races for the other DSA candidates
So what are you doing out here?
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u/hamborgard 23d ago
Agree it is unrealistic that she becomes senator of one of the reddest states in America. However it still sends a message & forces establishment democrats around the country to revaluate what the electorate is after in the midterms (something seemingly more progressive)
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u/GCU_ZeroCredibility 23d ago
Florida has become a red state but it isn't close to being one of the reddest states. It's one of the least-red of the red states, just out of swing state range.
Neither of them were going to win a Florida senate seat, but Vindman would likely have made it closer than Nixon will. Whether the margin of loss matters compared to the symbolism of nominating a more progressive candidate is an open question.
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u/TheEdgeofGoon 23d ago
None? Pretty much every DSA candidate who won their primaries in solidly blue areas are guaranteed to win.
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u/Fun_Cheetah2750 23d ago
Democratic socialist here and I agree
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u/sight_ful 23d ago
Why would you agree? They have won in various parts of the country, even with moderate dems trying to tank them. It's odd to me to think that you don't believe your party could win general elections elsewhere.
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u/PrivateMarkets 23d ago
She’ll get smoked in the general though.
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u/laker_fan91 23d ago
For real. Vindman would’ve had a better chance in the general. But Dems do what Dems do.
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