TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV\/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – State Representative Angie Nixon will be campaigning across Florida this weekend with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, a leading voice in the progressive movement. <\/p>\n
Angie Nixon is believed to be the first registered member of the Democratic Socialists of America to be nominated for a statewide office anywhere in the country, and she\u2019s not backing away from progressive ideals with these rallies. <\/p>\n
Sanders is inviting Nixon onto the stage this weekend with rallies in Tampa, Melbourne, Gainesville and Tallahassee. <\/p>\n
The mere idea of socialism is a lightning rod in Florida politics.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re trying to pump up Democratic turnout in the base and you\u2019re worried about them not showing up, then having some national high-profile Democrats come down here, maybe that helps,\u201d University of Central Florida associate professor Aubrey Jewett said. <\/p>\n
Florida politics: <\/p>\n
Lt. Governor Jay Collins is spending his last few months in office fighting against socialism. He said it\u2019s bad public policy for the sunshine state.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou trade a little bit of stability, short-term freedom, for freedom long-term, and it always turns out the same, and I\u2019m glad we that we stood on this,\u201d Collins said. \u201cFlorida certainly is a place where socialism and communism will be taught facts on that.\u201d <\/p>\n
But Nixon\u2019s progressive platform did lead her to an upset in the primary election when she defeated a more moderate candidate, and even more moderate Democrats on the statewide ticket are courting progressive voters. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn Florida, just like elsewhere, within the Democratic base, there are some folks that are pretty progressive, or even socialist, self-identified, and [David Jolly] needs their votes. I mean, even if he\u2019s not a socialist, it\u2019s like politicians need votes,\u201d Jewett said. <\/p>\n
The Florida Capital Bureau reached out to Senator Ashley Moody, who is running for reelection against Nixon, for comment on Sanders\u2019s visit. <\/p>\n
\u201cBernie Sanders coming to Florida to campaign for Socialist Angie Nixon tells voters everything they need to know. Socialist Angie wants Bernie\u2019s agenda for Florida families: higher taxes, defunded police and military, government-run healthcare, and the same failed policies we have rejected time and time again. Flying in the Socialist Senator from Vermont won\u2019t change that. This is the Free State of Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n