Ashley Moody, Angie Nixon prepare for November US Senate showdown

DORAL, Fla. — Florida’s U.S. Senate race is set for a November showdown between Republican nominee U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody and Democratic nominee Angie Nixon, who is seeking to unseat Moody.

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Moody, who was appointed to the Senate last year after Marco Rubio left the seat to become secretary of state, appeared at a Miami-Dade Republican event in Doral on Friday but did not take questions afterward.

Speaking briefly before the event, Moody focused on Nixon’s affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America and described her campaign message in two words: “Stop socialism.”

“She is a supporter and member of the DSA which is a party that has a very radical agenda,” Moody said. “I don’t think anyone thought that somebody who supported socialism would ever be on the ballot in Florida.”

Moody also was asked whether she would debate Nixon on WPLG Local 10.

“Oh my gosh, I think our teams will probably meet and discuss all of that,” Moody said.

Nixon, who is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, is pitching a different message as Democrats seek to compete in a state where Republicans have dominated statewide elections.

“I am looking forward to expanding this big tent of the Democratic Party,” Nixon said.

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In an interview with Local 10 News on Wednesday, Nixon was asked how she plans to persuade moderate Democrats to support her in November.

“Folks can just look at my track record,” Nixon said.

Nixon also addressed her recent affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America and the Working Families Party.

“The reason I recently joined DSA and the working families party is because they are organizations that want to put power back in the hands of the people,” Nixon said.

The contest will give Florida voters a choice between Moody, a former state attorney general who was appointed to the Senate, and Nixon, who is seeking to put Democrats back in contention for a statewide Senate seat.

The election will also determine who serves the remainder of Rubio’s vacated Senate term.

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