Sanders made an uncommon foray into Florida, stopping in Tampa and then Melbourne on Saturday as part of his "Fighting Oligarchy" barnstorm. He said Nixon's win would be historic: "If you and when you elect Angie Nixon to the United States Senate, you will have sparked a revolution that's going to transform this country," adding that voters could "change the course of American history."
The Melbourne crowd, which Sanders estimated at 1,800, filled a hotel parking lot with "Tax the Billionaires" and "Freeze the Rent" placards. Melbourne sits in Brevard County, where Trump carried more than a 20 point margin in 2024. A notable attendee was James Fishback, a controversial far right Republican who previously lost a primary to Byron Donalds; he said he disagreed with much of Nixon and Sanders's politics but wanted to see what was energizing the crowd, adding, "Everyone here, they all are going to bring four votes with them," and, "I think we will see a blue tsunami."
Nixon, a state representative who joined the Democratic Socialists of America in June, is trying to topple a better funded incumbent in a state Trump won handily in 2024. Her campaign relies on thousands of volunteers, town halls, and media to promote an agenda featuring Medicare for all, childcare for all, boosting minimum wages, and a wealth tax on billionaires to pay for those programs. She told supporters, "I believe that if you work hard in this country, you should be able to live in this country - no one should just barely survive," outlining expectations from paying rent and buying groceries to saving for "a rainy day." She also said, "If believing that the government should work for the people who pay the bills instead of the billionaires who buy the politicians is radical, then call me a radical."
Sanders said that if Nixon wins, she would join other progressives in Congress advancing measures to ease the cost of living. Both are backing taxes aimed at the ultra wealthy, including a wealth levy and fees on Wall Street trades. The Melbourne stop was one of hundreds of public events Nixon has held statewide this year.
Ashley Moody, who has the endorsement of President Donald Trump and outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis, has largely avoided media interviews and specific affordability plans while attacking Nixon's democratic socialist ties through an intense digital and TV ad blitz. If Nixon prevails, she would be Florida's first Black senator.
National Democrats are pouring in. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries campaigned in Miami for Eliott Rodriguez, who is running for the seat currently held by Representative Maria Elvira Salazar, a Trump endorsed Republican. "This is an incredibly winnable seat," Jeffries said at a Cuban bakery in Pinecrest. Former President Bill Clinton will stump with Democratic gubernatorial hopeful David Jolly next week.
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Florida courted affluent newcomers and, in the wake of the pandemic, many of the world's richest have either relocated or purchased property there, aided by the lack of a state income tax. That influx has pushed up property prices, and paired with high insurance costs, has squeezed the middle class. In addition, the state is on track to forfeit certain federal food and healthcare benefits due to legislation enacted by the Trump administration.
Political scientist Michael McDonald of the University of Florida said Nixon, Rodriguez, and Jolly are outperforming expectations in polls amid Republican headwinds as voters worry about the cost of living, prices at the pump, the war with Iran, and other issues. He summed up the cycle bluntly: "The overall environment is just bad for Republicans." Florida is one of several states Republicans swept in 2024 where Democrats now show unexpected strength, and a Democratic Senate win there would rank among the biggest surprises of the midterms.
In plain English: a Florida upset would put wealth taxes, Wall Street trade levies, and broader social spending proposals back in the market's conversation, while Republicans are framing the choice as lower taxes and smaller government. Either path reshapes expectations for taxes, consumer spending power, and migration trends that feed Florida real estate, insurers, and service heavy employers investors track closely.
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