r/florida

Florida Democratic voters delivered another shock upset to the party establishment by nominating state Rep. Angie Nixon, a democratic socialist, over Alex Vindman, a moderate former national security professional who played a central role in President Donald Trump’s first impeachment.

Democrats have hoped to mount a comeback in the diverse, populous and economically dynamic state but have struggled to craft a message that resonates with the state’s electorate. Nixon’s upset sets up a long-shot challenge to U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, a former state attorney general who Gov. Ron DeSantis selected to fill the seat after it was vacated by Marco Rubio, who Trump chose as secretary of state.

The race has already inflamed tensions within the Democratic Party over how to energize liberal voters eager for unapologetic, combative candidates while not alienating independents and moderates who have been key to winning in battlegrounds.

“If you’re surprised by tonight’s election results, you haven’t been paying enough attention to what’s happening in the South,” Britney Whaley, the southeast regional director of the Working Families Party, which backs populist candidates. “Tonight’s election results must be a wake-up call to a political establishment that believes a populist message can’t win in the South. Angie’s campaign proves voters will respond to a bold economic vision that meets their basic needs.”

Read more [paywall removed for Redditors]: https://fortune.com/2026/08/19/who-is-angie-nixon-democratic-socialist-florida-vindman/?utm_source=reddit/

What are your thoughts?

Snippets:

• Little more than a year after joining the Democratic Party, David Jolly was officially chosen by voters on Tuesday night as their Democratic nominee for Florida governor and as the candidate they believe could go up against U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds in November and turn the deeply Republican Sunshine State blue.

>Donalds, who had already been campaigning against Jolly for November, characterized him during a rally the eve of the primary elections as a “Trojan horse” for the Democratic Socialists of America.

>Jolly said he rejects socialism and the Democratic Socialists of America and shrugged off Donald’s comments to his opponent being worried.

• “Byron Donalds is playing games with the language because he doesn’t have an answer on the economy. He just doesn’t,” he said. “And my bet is that voters have had enough of it.”

From a supporter's wife:

>His wife, Kathleen Doyle, a retired teacher, said she found Jolly to be someone who would not sell out to “big business.” She was concerned about the environment and the impact of data centers. Though she identifies as ‘very liberal,” she said she still found Jolly to be the right man to lead the ticket, especially with the help of his running mate, former Congresswoman Gwen Graham.

>“I think Gwen Graham has a wonderful chance of bringing our community together because so many people honor her heritage and her dad and his service to our state,” she said. “So I think the ticket is amazing.”

Hey everyone,
I'm coming into town for a wedding weekend, and most of the guests are staying on Marco Island. We're trying to figure out a good spot to get everyone together (around 30-40 people) to grab some drinks, chit-chat, and mingle.

We're not super heavy partiers and we know Marco is more on the laid-back side, but we still want good vibes and a fun place to hang out. We’re looking for something casual like a large bar, open-air spot, or a brewery where people can freely walk around and talk rather than being stuck at one long dinner table.

Also, we’re not opposed to heading up to Naples on Saturday night after the wedding if there’s a better scene for us up there.

Does anyone have good recommendations for spots that can handle a crowd our size? Appreciate the help!

https://preview.redd.it/lu1gydii9kkh1.png?width=864&format=png&auto=webp&s=02ea64f5b1b3c6dc29827cc9634339be6b915359

This is a tapestry that one of my best friends spent months knitting for me before she graduated and had to move to another state. The owl and the fox are symbols of us. It is the kindest, most generous thing anyone has ever done for me. When I moved back from college at the beginning of the summer, my dad was in charge of the tapestry, it was rolled up and sticking out of his briefcase on the plane. He really thought he got it home, but no one has been able to find it in the house. We have traced the airplane and called and visited the airports it went to that day and it seems like it really wasn't left on the plane or in any of the airports. We also confirmed that it wasn't left in the rental car. The only other thing we can think of having happened to it was that someone found it and decided to keep it.

The flight was on May 14th, 2026, and went to Punta Gorda FL, Harrisburg PA, and Portsmouth NH. It was an Allegiant Airlines flight, if that matters.

If you know anyone who traveled around this time/near these locations, please, PLEASE just take a quick moment to ask them if there's any chance they saw or picked it up and tell them about the reward. Otherwise, I'm begging just please spread the word if you live within a few hours of any of these places-- post on your neighborhood Facebook page or something-- anything that reaches people that may not be on reddit.

I am a student (not employed) and can't afford to offer a higher reward, but I am an artist and am happy to make something for anyone who can return this to me if they want. I won't be angry if you took it, I promise, I understand. But it's so important to me and I just want it back. I know this post is a long shot but it's the only thing left I can think to do.

Thank you for reading.

Basically the title, I recently turned 18 and the state sent me a letter saying i cannot get a driver's license without proof of a High school diploma or 30 days in High school without any unexcused absences.

Problem is, Last grade i've attended was the very beginning of 2nd grade since my parents pulled me out to "home school" me (which, was really just not teaching me much of anything because i guess 7 year old me was hard to handle, and as a dumb kid.. i really didn't think that far ahead) so i would be extremely far behind.

My parents aren't going to send me to high school and i don't have any proof that i have a diploma, Nor do i think i can get one since i just became an adult and i'm really nervous because i wanted to get a license soon so i can go places without someone telling me i'm a burden every time i need a lift.

Do y'all have any advice??

Lol wtf? I've been a native Floridian for 30 plus years and never seen this crap. Secondly, walking on a parking lot is the same as being baked alive. Are we cooked? Sincerely, a very concerned Floridian.