Florida's Democratic Senate nominee Angie Nixon and state party chair Nikki Fried had a contentious conversation on Friday that reportedly included raised voices regarding the implications of socialism and the difficulties of campaigning in Florida, according to three sources familiar with the discussion. The disagreement highlights a divide within the party between Nixon's progressive base and the establishment represented by Fried.
Democrats are facing challenges in their efforts to unseat Republican Senator Ashley Moody, and the escalating conflict between Nixon and Fried complicates efforts to unify the party. Nixon, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), expressed frustration to Fried about a lack of support from the state party following her primary victory over Alex Vindman.
Fried cautioned Nixon that her association with the DSA could provide ammunition for Republican attacks. Sources indicated that both Nixon and Fried raised their voices during the call, with Nixon reportedly stating, "You never cared about me from the beginning, and now you're telling me how to run my campaign?" At one point, she exclaimed, "stop gaslighting me!"
A Florida Democratic Party official disputed claims that Fried yelled during the conversation and stated that the party had attempted to reach out to Nixon's team multiple times regarding campaign coordination. The official noted that Nixon's field team did participate in a call with the party's coordinated campaign this week.
The conflict is characterized as both an ideological clash and a clash of personalities. Concerns about Fried's treatment of Nixon, a Black woman, were raised, emphasizing the need for Fried to maintain support among Black voters. Additionally, it was noted that Fried was disappointed by Nixon's primary win and had previously expressed skepticism about her chances.
Fried's apprehensions regarding socialism reflect broader concerns within the Democratic Party, particularly among Hispanic voters in South Florida who have fled leftist regimes, and Jewish Democrats who oppose the DSA's anti-Zionist stance. Nixon, while initially aligned with the DSA for grassroots support during her primary campaign, has since sought to distance herself from some of the organization's positions.
Nixon has reportedly found common ground with David Jolly, a former Republican running as the Democratic nominee for governor, despite concerns about how the issue of socialism may be leveraged against them in the upcoming election. Jolly's campaign is adjusting its messaging to highlight areas of agreement while addressing their differences on socialism.