Ahead of the November 3 Florida midterm elections, Republican leaders have intensified accusations that Democratic candidates are socialist, focusing on state Representative Angie Nixon’s primary victory.

The socialist label has been employed by Florida Republicans for years, but the 2026 cycle has brought it to prominence as Nixon, a former union organizer, won the Democratic Senate primary after affiliating with the Democratic Socialists of America, though she says she rejects the label.

Republican Party chairman Evan Power said Democrats are radical leftists and described a proposal for a state‑run hurricane insurance fund as socialist, while gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds called his Democratic opponent David Jolly a “Trojan horse” for the DSA.

Political consultant Michael Worley noted that the repeated socialist attack may be losing traction among independent voters who cite high housing costs, insurance rates and gas prices as pressing concerns.

Last week a leaked grand jury report alleged that the DeSantis administration diverted $10 million in health‑care funds intended for low‑income children to political committees and the state Republican Party; Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and former Attorney General Ashley Moody were implicated, and several officials have called for a full investigation.

Republican county commissioner George W. Kruse criticized the GOP’s frequent use of the term socialist, saying it replaces substantive policy discussion with sound bites and does a disservice to voters.