Florida's Democratic Senate nominee, Angie Nixon, and the state party chair, Nikki Fried, engaged in a contentious conversation on Friday regarding the implications of socialism and the difficulties of campaigning in Florida. Sources familiar with the conversation reported that the discussion included raised voices and disagreements about Nixon's ties to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and the support she has received from the state party.
Nixon, who recently won the primary against Alex Vindman, expressed her frustrations to Fried about the lack of assistance from the state party. Fried cautioned that Nixon's association with the DSA could provide an opportunity for Republican opponents to criticize her. During the call, Nixon reportedly accused Fried of not caring about her campaign and exclaimed, "stop gaslighting me!"
A Florida Democratic Party official disputed claims that Fried yelled during the conversation, stating that the party had attempted to reach out to Nixon's team multiple times without success. The official noted that Nixon's campaign team had participated in a call regarding the coordinated campaign.
The conflict highlights a divide within the Democratic Party between its progressive base, represented by Nixon, and the establishment, represented by Fried. Concerns about socialism's impact on the general election are prevalent among Democrats, particularly among Hispanic and Jewish voters in South Florida who have historical apprehensions about leftist ideologies.
Nixon has indicated that she is working to distance herself from certain DSA positions since her primary victory, stating that she does not support abolishing all prisons or the concept of open borders. She has also had positive interactions with David Jolly, the ex-Republican running as the Democratic nominee for governor, despite concerns about how the issue of socialism may affect their campaigns against Republican Byron Donalds.