Primary Election Results Highlight Socialist Upsets and Mixed Night for Trump Endorsements

According to election results, Democratic Socialists of America member Angie Nixon secured a major Senate primary upset in Florida over retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, while Trump-endorsed candidates experienced a mix of victories and high-profile defeats nationwide.

Florida Socialist Upset Overshadows Heavy Campaign Spending

Senate primary. State Representative Angie Nixon, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), defeated retired Air Force Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman by nearly 12 points, according to primary tallies reported by the Associated Press. Vindman, a prominent critic of Trump who played a central role in the 2019 impeachment proceedings, entered the race with a massive financial advantage.

Vindman commanded a war chest of approximately $16.3 million, spending roughly $9 million by July. In contrast, Nixon operated on a campaign budget of about $1 million, spending just over $700,000. Despite being heavily outspent by a factor of nine to one, Nixon blindsided her opponent and advanced to face incumbent Republican Senator Ashley Moody in the November general election.

Further down the ballot, moderate Democrats successfully fended off progressive and socialist challengers in key House primaries. According to election reports, veteran Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz defeated four opponents in the newly redrawn 20th Congressional District, including socialist activist Elijah Manley, who raised nearly $1 million. In the 25th Congressional District, Representative Jared Moskowitz defeated DSA-backed challenger Oliver Larkin by a margin of 64% to 36%.

Trump Endorsements Prove Mixed Across the Sunshine State

President Trump’s endorsements yielded varied outcomes across Florida’s statewide and congressional contests. In the Republican gubernatorial primary to succeed Governor Ron DeSantis, Trump-endorsed Representative Byron Donalds captured 47% of the vote, defeating Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, who finished with 25%, and outsider James Fishback, who took 10.5%. Donalds will face former Republican congressman-turned-Democrat David Jolly in November.

However, the endorsement strategy faltered in Florida’s 7th Congressional District. Scandal-plagued incumbent Republican Representative Cory Mills lost his primary to former television anchor Ryan Elijah. Mills, endorsed by Trump in February, faced an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation regarding campaign finance violations, gift disclosures, and allegations of assault. Mills denied all wrongdoing, but the primary loss reshapes the red-leaning district’s trajectory.

In Florida’s 19th Congressional District, media executive Jim Schwartzel won a five-way primary with 29.1% of the vote. Trump had issued an 11th-hour endorsement for candidate Catalina Lauf, who finished second with 22% of the vote, while former North Carolina Representative Madison Cawthorn finished fourth.

Gubernatorial and Senate Primary Results in Wyoming and Alaska

Wyoming voters strongly backed conservative incumbents while charting a new course in the executive branch. In the U.S. Senate primary, Trump-endorsed Representative Harriet Hageman secured a landslide victory over cattle rancher Sam Mead, holding a 62% to 28% lead with 80% of the votes counted. In the gubernatorial primary, Republican voters bypassed Trump’s preference, electing state Senator Eric Barlow over state Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder.

In Alaska, the state’s nonpartisan top-four primary system set up a contentious November general election. Incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan finished second in the primary voting and advanced to a four-way general election contest. He will face former Democratic Representative Mary Peltola, who finished with a razor-thin lead in the initial vote tallies, alongside other qualifying candidates.

The Alaska House and gubernatorial races also highlighted multi-generational political dynasties. According to projections, Republican Representative Nick Begich III advanced to defend his House seat, while his uncle, former Democratic minority leader Tom Begich, advanced to the general election for governor.