08/31/2026
Florida’s 2026 primary is over, the nominees have been chosen, and now the real political battle begins.
On this episode of The Blueprint Live, we break down what the primary results mean for the road to November—and what they reveal about the future of Florida politics.
We begin with Angie Nixon’s stunning victory in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary. Despite being dramatically outspent and underestimated, Nixon defeated Alexander Vindman and now moves on to challenge Republican Senator Ashley Moody. But as Republicans rush to define Nixon, David Jolly, or quite frankly any democrat by DSA, some Democrats are also drawing ideological lines. Is the party preparing to unite behind its nominee—or helping Republicans write the narrative?
Then, voting-rights advocate Desmond Meade drops out of the Florida governor’s race, raising serious questions about the role of money in statewide elections and what his departure means for the contest between David Jolly and Byron Donalds.
Next, we introduce “Strange Bedfellows.” Republicans are attacking the DSA from the right, while some Democrats—including gubernatorial nominee David Jolly—are publicly rejecting aspects of our big tent from within the party. Are Democrats drawing necessary ideological boundaries, or allowing Republicans to dictate the conversation heading into November?
And finally, we bring the discussion home to the Western Florida Panhandle, where a slate of Democratic congressional and state legislative candidates is challenging Republican dominance in one of the reddest regions of Florida.
Can Democrats rebuild political infrastructure in Northwest Florida? Can Angie Nixon expand the coalition that carried her through the primary? And after months of internal Democratic battles, can the party finally come together for November?
The primary is over.
Now comes the fight for Florida.
Join the panel for another candid conversation about elections, ideology, political power, and the future of the Sunshine State.
