Florida’s Democratic primary produced three very different outcomes, doing little to resolve the party’s never-ending identity crisis.
The Senate race was one of the biggest surprises of the night. Democratic Socialist Angie Nixon faced former Director of European Affairs Alex Vindman. Poll after poll showed Vindman leading, but, like in Wisconsin, the polls were wrong. Nixon won the nomination by more than ten points and now faces incumbent Republican Senator Ashley Moody (NBC News, 2026c).
Nixon’s victory was unexpected. Florida has become increasingly conservative in statewide elections, and her win has forced Democrats to reconsider what kind of candidate can win in the state. Nixon represents the party’s progressive wing, campaigning on issues including healthcare, housing, childcare, and affordability.
But Florida Democrats did not move uniformly to the left.
In Florida’s 25th Congressional District, incumbent centrist Democrat Jared Moskowitz faced DSA-backed challenger Oliver Larkin. Despite Larkin’s significant online following and national attention, he lost by roughly 26 points (NBC News, 2026b).
If Nixon’s victory shows that progressive candidates can win Democratic primaries, Moskowitz’s victory shows that Democrats even if deep blue cities are not automatically choosing the most progressive candidate available.
The gubernatorial primary created an even greater contrast.
David Jolly, a former Republican congressman who later became a Democrat, won the Democratic nomination. Jolly represents a completely different political coalition from Nixon, offering Democrats a candidate who could appeal to moderates, independents, and voters dissatisfied with the Republican Party (NBC News, 2026a).
So, are Democrats more likely to win statewide with candidates who can build a broad coalition, even if they are less ideologically aligned with the party’s progressive wing?
Florida’s primary does not provide an easy answer.
Democrats nominated a Democratic Socialist for Senate, a centrist incumbent for Congress, and a former Republican for governor. Florida Democrats did not uniformly move left or right; they chose all three.
It is this that may be the most important story coming out of these primaries.
November will provide the real test. Nixon, Moskowitz, and Jolly will each have to prove that their very different visions of the Democratic Party can win in Florida.
But Florida may not tell Democrats exactly which direction their party should go.
References:
- NBC News. (2026a). Florida governor primary election results 2026. NBC News — Governor results
- NBC News. (2026b). Florida House primary election results 2026. NBC News — House results
- NBC News. (2026c). Florida Senate primary election results 2026. NBC News — Senate results
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