Progressives Launch Florida Tour to Boost Democratic Senate Candidate

2026-10-13 politics

Tallahassee, Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and prominent progressive allies will tour Florida starting mid-October to campaign for Senate nominee Angie Nixon as she challenges Republican incumbent Ashley Moody.

Scheduled Rally Locations and Times

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders is scheduled to headline a series of campaign rallies across Florida, beginning with Senator Chris Murphy on October 14, 2026, in preparation for the November election [2]. The tour, titled “Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here,” includes stops in Tampa and Melbourne on October 17, followed by Gainesville and Tallahassee on October 18, 2026 [2][5]. Representative Ro Khanna is also set to join the effort with a scheduled appearance in Orlando on October 20, 2026 [2]. The Tallahassee event will take place at The Moon, with doors opening at 18:00 and the program starting at 20:00 [1][3][7]. Specific venue details confirm the location at 1105 East Lafayette Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301 [4][7]. Security protocols for the venue prohibit signs, flags, weapons, and bags larger than a fanny pack [7].

Polling Data and Incumbency Status

The campaign seeks to unseat incumbent Republican Senator Ashley Moody, who was appointed to the Senate in 2025 following Marco Rubio’s departure [1]. Current polling data from RealClearPolling indicates Senator Moody leads Democratic nominee Angie Nixon, with support at 49% compared to Nixon’s 42% [2]. This 7 percentage point gap highlights the competitive challenge facing the Democratic ticket in the upcoming midterm cycle [2]. Nixon secured the Democratic nomination in August 2026 after defeating Alex Vindman in the primary election [1][5]. Senator Sanders endorsed Nixon following her primary victory, with reports citing the endorsement date as either August 20 or August 22, 2026 [1][2].

Voting Timeline and Local Context

Timing is critical, as early voting in Leon County is set to commence on October 19, 2026, one day after the scheduled Tallahassee rally [5]. The progressive agenda promoted during the tour emphasizes issues such as Medicare for All and affordable housing, aiming to galvanize grassroots voters in the region [1][5]. Local political dynamics also include the Tallahassee mayoral race, where Nixon has endorsed candidate Jeremy Matlow, linking national progressive efforts with local municipal contests [5]. While Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has hinted at a potential campaign visit prior to Election Day, no specific date has been confirmed [2].

Sources

2026 Midterms Progressive Politics