ORLANDO, Fla. —
U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon held a campaign event at the University of Central Florida as the race draws national attention.
Nixon was joined Wednesday by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, specifically targeting young voters and Gen Z voters. Nixon said college students want elected officials who will represent their interests.
“College students in Florida favor candidates who are going to put them first and who are not going to put the billionaires and these corrupt corporations before their needs. What we need to do is make sure that we are creating an environment where our children can no longer just survive, but they can thrive and they can flourish,” she said.
Nixon’s opponent, Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, made campaign stops elsewhere in Florida. Moody’s campaign declined an interview request, saying she was unavailable because of those appearances.
The chair of the Republican Party of Florida, Evan Power, discussed the party’s efforts to reach college students and other young voters. He said those voters favor Republican candidates over Democrats and show support for President Donald Trump.
“I think Republicans are in touch with our college students. They want that freedom. They want that opportunity. And I think when you talk to mainstream college students, they are Republican leaning. They’re Trump-leaning. They’re Byron Donalds leaning. They’re Ashley Moody leaning,” Power said.
The race is drawing national attention because of its possible effect on the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.
Nixon is expected to make another campaign appearance in Central Florida this weekend with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.