Bernie Sanders backs Angie Nixon after her stunning Florida primary upset

Bernie Sanders endorses Florida's Angie Nixon for Senate

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2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Bernie Sanders endorses Florida's Angie Nixon for Senate

* Andrew Pantazi

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!Florida Rep. Angie Nixon sits in a church pew as supporters hold pink “Angie Nixon for U.S. Senate” signs around her.

*Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon attends a worship service at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Hallandale Beach, Fla., a day before winning the Democratic U.S. Senate primary. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images*

Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed Florida Democratic Senate nominee Angie Nixon on Thursday, two days after she stunned the party establishment by defeating heavily funded favorite Alex Vindman.

**Why it matters:** Sanders gives Nixon a prominent national progressive ally as she pivots to a difficult general-election race against Republican Sen. Ashley Moody.

* Sanders also cast Nixon as a model for the Democratic Party's future.

**What he's saying:** "Angie is proof that organized people can take on the organized money of the wealthy and powerful — and win," Sanders said in a statement released by Nixon's campaign.

* Sanders praised Nixon's support for Medicare for All, canceling medical debt, expanded child care and paid family leave.

**The intrigue:** Nixon won the primary without Sanders' endorsement despite working on his 2016 presidential campaign and running on many of the economic policies he made central to his campaigns.

**The big picture:** The endorsement strengthens Nixon's connection to the national left, but it also gives Republicans another opening to make socialism the centerpiece of the fall campaign.

**Reality check:** Nixon still faces a steep climb against Moody in Florida, a state that has shifted sharply to the right and where Republicans have dominated recent statewide elections.

*Editor's note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated.*

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