Florida Senate candidate Angie Nixon reportedly had a tense phone conversation with state party chair Nikki Fried on Friday, regarding Nixon’s ties to socialism and the level of support from the party for her campaign.
Nixon expressed frustration that the Florida Democratic Party hadn’t provided enough backing following her surprising primary win over Alex Vindman earlier in the week, according to reports.
Fried is said to have cautioned Nixon that her affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) might be used against her by Republicans as she runs against Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL).
Two individuals who talked with Nixon shared that both she and Fried raised their voices during the call. However, a source familiar with Fried’s perspective claimed that it was Nixon who was shouting, not Fried.
According to one person who spoke with Nixon, “Nikki wants her to step back from DSA, from socialism. She’s listening to others who are worried, particularly Jewish members and the Hispanic caucus. But Angie feels that Nikki doesn’t want her to be herself. Angie has already made adjustments.”
The source indicated that Nixon felt as though Fried was pressuring her to alter her political identity.
Nixon reportedly told Fried, “You never cared about me from the start, and now you’re telling me how to run my campaign?”
At another point, she exclaimed, “Stop gaslighting me!” according to the source.
An official from the Florida Democratic Party noted that party representatives had tried multiple times to connect with Nixon’s campaign for collaboration but often received no replies. This week, however, Nixon’s field staff participated in a party campaign call.
The official argued that Nixon’s DSA affiliation could potentially allow Republicans to misrepresent her views before she has a chance to define herself to her electorate.
A source familiar with Nixon’s position described the disagreement as both ideological and personal, warning Fried not to appear dismissive toward Nixon, a black woman, due to potential backlash from black voters.
Another Florida Democrat indicated that Nixon and Fried had a difficult relationship even before the primary, suggesting that Fried had expected Vindman to win and was planning how to integrate Nixon and her supporters afterward.
“I know Nikki doesn’t like it, but Angie is the focal point right now,” the source stated. “Angie is a national story, and Nikki just can’t accept it.”
A party source refuted claims that Florida Democrats favored Vindman over Nixon, asserting that the organization remained neutral during the primary.
