Jacksonville state representative declares grassroots victory, targets Ashley Moody and says Democrats have 77 days to flip Florida’s U.S. Senate seat

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FNN) — State Rep. Angie Nixon declared that “Floridians have voted for change” after winning the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, portraying her primary victory as a rejection of corporate political influence and the beginning of a 77-day general election campaign against Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody.

Nixon used her victory statement to emphasize the grassroots nature of her campaign and outline an economic agenda focused on lowering costs, raising wages and expanding health care.

“We did it,” Nixon said. “We won this primary without taking a dime of corporate PAC money. No corporate checks. No billionaire-funded machine. Just a 100% grassroots campaign powered by people like you.”

NIXON: FLORIDA VOTERS ‘WANT SOMEONE WHO WILL FIGHT’

Nixon characterized her victory as part of broader voter frustration with the political establishment.

“Florida voters were fed up,” Nixon said. “They made it clear that they want someone who will fight for the change that actually helps their lives such as lower costs, higher wages, Medicare for All, and a people-powered government that prioritizes families.”

Her victory gives Florida Democrats a progressive nominee who has spent years battling Republican policies from the floor of the Florida House.

Nixon’s campaign now faces the considerably larger challenge of converting that primary coalition into enough statewide support to defeat Moody in November.

GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN DEFEATS BETTER-FUNDED OPPONENT

Nixon’s victory over retired Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman was also a significant test of campaign money versus grassroots organizing.

Vindman entered the race with national recognition and substantially greater financial resources, while Nixon emphasized small-dollar donors and her refusal to accept corporate PAC contributions.

Following the result, Vindman quickly endorsed his former primary rival.

“Rep. Nixon ran a strong campaign,” Vindman said in his election-night statement. “I will be standing by her side in the fight against Ashley Moody.”

The endorsement gives Nixon an early opportunity to begin unifying Democrats after the primary.

NIXON POINTS TO BATTLES WITH DESANTIS, MAGA MOVEMENT

Nixon also used her victory speech to highlight her history of confrontation with Gov. Ron DeSantis and conservative political activists.

“The opposition threw everything they had at us,” Nixon said. “Ron DeSantis had me censured. I was arrested. MAGA tried scaring me.”

Nixon continued: “They tried to intimidate us, silence us, and stop this movement. They failed.”

Those assertions were made by Nixon in her campaign statement. The circumstances surrounding her censure and arrest provide important context when reporting those claims independently.

Nixon has developed a reputation as one of the Florida Legislature’s most outspoken

Retired Army lieutenant colonel pledges to stand with Democratic nominee Angie Nixon in November fight against Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Retired Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman threw his support behind state Rep. Angie Nixon after losing Florida’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary, calling on his supporters to unite behind Nixon as Democrats turn their attention to the November special election against Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody.

Vindman, a 21-year Army combat veteran and former White House national security official, reflected on his journey from arriving in the United States as a refugee to becoming a candidate for the U.S. Senate.

“Who would’ve ever thought that a Jewish refugee would make it to the U.S. Army, to the White House, and to becoming a candidate for the U.S. Senate,” Vindman said in his election-night statement. “Only in America is that possible.”

VINDMAN: ‘I STILL BELIEVE IN THE AMERICAN DREAM’

Vindman’s statement focused heavily on his personal story and continued belief in the opportunities available in the United States.

“I still believe in the American Dream, because I’ve lived it,” Vindman said. “It’s worth fighting for.”

Vindman and his family left the Soviet Union as refugees when he was 3 years old.

He later served 21 years in the U.S. Army, including combat service, before becoming a national security official and serving in the White House.

After his military career took him around the world, Vindman and his wife, Rachel, settled with their family in Florida.

VINDMAN ENDORSES ANGIE NIXON

Vindman quickly moved beyond the primary campaign and pledged his support to Nixon.

“Rep. Nixon ran a strong campaign,” Vindman said. “I will be standing by her side in the fight against Ashley Moody. I hope you’ll join me.”

The statement represents an immediate effort to unite Democrats following a competitive primary.

Nixon, a Jacksonville state representative known for her progressive politics and outspoken opposition to Republican policies in Tallahassee, defeated Vindman for the Democratic nomination.

DEMOCRATS TURN TOWARD NOVEMBER

Vindman’s endorsement gives Nixon an opportunity to bring his primary supporters into her general election coalition.

The challenge now shifts from a Democratic contest to a statewide battle against Moody, a former Florida attorney general who was appointed to the Senate and secured the Republican nomination in Tuesday’s primary.

The race presents Florida voters with sharply contrasting candidates and political records.

Nixon has built her reputation as a progressive legislator and grassroots activist, while Moody has been closely aligned with Florida’s Republican leadership and Gov. Ron DeSantis.

PRIMARY RIVALS UNITE AGAINST ASHLEY MOODY

Vindman’s election-night message avoided a prolonged battle over the primary result. Instead, he congratulated Nixon on running a strong campaign and immediately focused on defeating Moody.

That could prove important for Democrats as they seek to consolidate their voters after the primary and compete statewide in November.

For Vindman, the campaign ended with a message centered on the country that gave his refugee family a new beginning.

For Nixon, his endorsement marks the beginning of a different challenge: bringing together Democrats who supported competing candidates and turning an upset primary victory into a viable statewide campaign for the U.S. Senate.

Family calls for release of official autopsy findings, transparency and answers surrounding death of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells

BILOXI, Miss. (FNN NEWS) — National civil rights attorney Ben Crump joined the family of Nolan Xavier Wells and prominent faith leader Dr. Jamal Bryant on Wednesday for a prayer rally marking what would have been Wells’ 19th birthday.

The gathering at Greater St. John AME Church in Biloxi honored Wells’ life while amplifying his family’s continuing demands for answers, transparency and accountability surrounding his death.

FAMILY CONTINUES FIGHT FOR ANSWERS

Rather than celebrating Nolan’s 19th birthday with him, his family gathered with community members, faith leaders and advocates to remember his life and continue their pursuit of the truth about what happened to him.

The Wells family is calling for the release of the official autopsy findings and greater transparency from state investigators.

The rally provided the family with a public platform to keep attention focused on unanswered questions surrounding Nolan’s death while seeking support from the broader community.

BEN CRUMP JOINS FAMILY’S CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY

Crump’s participation brings national attention to the family’s search for answers.

The civil rights and personal injury attorney has represented families in numerous high-profile cases involving deaths, civil rights and allegations of government or institutional misconduct.

His appearance alongside the Wells family underscored their demand that authorities provide information needed to establish a clearer account of the circumstances surrounding Nolan’s death.

The family’s requests for transparency remain allegations and demands for information; authorities’ findings should be distinguished from claims that have not yet been independently established.

DR. JAMAL BRYANT LEADS FAITH COMMUNITY IN SUPPORT

Bryant joined Crump, the Wells family and community members as the gathering combined remembrance with prayer and calls for accountability.

The prominent pastor and civil rights advocate has frequently used his national platform to address social justice issues affecting Black communities.

The Biloxi gathering brought the legal, faith and local communities together around the Wells family’s effort to obtain answers.

A 19TH BIRTHDAY MARKED BY PRAYER

The timing of the rally carried particular significance for Nolan’s family.

Wednesday would have marked his 19th birthday.

Instead, family members and supporters gathered at the church to celebrate his memory and reinforce their commitment to finding out what happened.

The rally began at 7 p.m. CDT at Greater St. John AME Church, 551 Division St. in Biloxi.

CALL FOR AUTOPSY FINDINGS AND INVESTIGATIVE TRANSPARENCY

Central to the family’s demands is the release of Nolan’s official autopsy findings.

The family also wants state investigators to provide greater transparency regarding the investigation and the circumstances surrounding his death.

Until official findings are released, significant questions surrounding the case remain unresolved.

For Nolan’s family, Wednesday night’s gathering was both a memorial and a public declaration that their search for answers will continue.

What would have been a milestone birthday instead became a call for truth, transparency and accountability.