Sen. Bernie Sanders is directing money from his $23 million campaign war chest toward Democrat Angie Nixon’s Florida Senate bid, backing a Democratic Socialists of America member facing a difficult race against Republican Sen. Ashley Moody in the Republican-leaning state.

Sanders plans to invest in Nixon’s campaign as part of a broader effort to support progressive candidates in the 2026 elections. The Florida race is one of several contests receiving support from Sanders as he uses his campaign funds to boost candidates he considers part of the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.

Nixon, a Florida state representative from Jacksonville, won the Democratic Senate primary in August by defeating former Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman. She entered the general election with significantly less campaign money than Vindman but secured the nomination with a strong grassroots campaign.

She now faces Moody, who was appointed to the Senate after Marco Rubio left the seat to become President Donald Trump’s secretary of state. Moody is seeking election to the remainder of Rubio’s term.

Recent polling has shown Nixon trailing Moody. An InsiderAdvantage survey conducted Sept. 20-21 had Moody ahead 49% to 42%, while a Stetson University poll from Sept. 14-21 showed Moody leading 51% to 40%. A St. Pete Polls survey conducted Sept. 15-17 was closer, showing the candidates tied at 45%. The RealClearPolling average of available Moody-Nixon polls had Moody ahead by 6.6 points.

Nixon is also a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, a connection that has already become a major issue in the race. She has sought to distinguish herself from some positions associated with the organization while maintaining that she joined because of its work on issues including housing, healthcare and economic inequality.

The race presents a difficult political environment for a Democratic candidate identified with the party’s progressive wing. Florida has moved strongly toward Republicans in recent statewide elections, and Nixon’s DSA affiliation has drawn criticism from Republicans while also creating tensions within the state Democratic Party over how prominently she should emphasize those ties.

Sanders nevertheless has decided to put some of his substantial campaign reserves behind Nixon as she attempts to unseat Moody. His investment gives Nixon additional national progressive support, but the latest public polling shows the Republican incumbent maintaining an advantage in the contest.