Prominent anti-Trump figures lose Democratic primaries in New York and Florida
Former National Security Council staffer Alex Vindman and lawyer George Conway were defeated in their respective Democratic primary races in Florida and New York.
The recent primary contests highlighted the limited electoral appeal of two high-profile members of the anti-Trump movement. George Conway, a wealthy attorney who financed his New York House campaign with a $2 million personal loan and total spending of $5.7 million, placed fifth in the 12th Congressional District, earning just 6.1% of the vote. In Florida, former National Security Council officer Alex Vindman, known for his role in the 2019 impeachment inquiry, raised $16 million but was soundly beaten by socialist challenger Angie Nixon, who secured 56% of the ballot.
Both candidates had previously leveraged their Resistance 1.0 reputations to gain national attention, yet Democratic primary voters favored other contenders, including Assemblymember Micah C. Lasher in New York. The outcomes underscore that anti-Trump activism does not automatically translate into electoral success within the Democratic Party.
Why it matters
The losses show that high-profile anti-Trump activism is insufficient to win Democratic primaries.
How this story developed
- Aug 12 Veteran Connecticut Democrat John Larson defeated by former mayor Luke Bronin in primary
- Aug 19 Primary races in Massachusetts and Virginia Beach have also moved forward, highlighting broader intra‑party contests.
- Aug 19 Nixon's primary victory sets up a general‑election contest against Republican Senator Ashley Moody.
- Aug 19 Chuck Gray won the Republican primary for Wyoming’s at-large House seat.
- Aug 19 Primary results now show Mary Peltola leading Dan Sullivan.
- Aug 19 Trump publicly asked Cory Mills to drop out of the race and gave his full endorsement to Ryan Elijah.
- Aug 19 State Rep. Angie Nixon, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, secured the Democratic nomination by defeating well-funded retired Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman. The victory prompted Sabato’s Crystal Ball to shift its outlook, now rating incumbent Sen. Ashley Moody’s race as a safe Republican win. Moody holds roughly $8.4 million in cash, while Nixon has under $300,000. Analysts note the stark fundraising gap will make a statewide campaign challenging for the challenger. The race follows a history of Republican dominance in Florida’s Senate contests.
- Aug 19 The Democratic primary between Moskowitz and Larkin has been held.
- Aug 19 Fourteen incumbents—twelve House members and two senators—were unseated in the 2026 primaries, a near‑record level.
- Aug 19 Angie Nixon announced her affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America this year.
- Aug 20 Elijah captured 47% of the primary vote, while Mills received 34%.
- Aug 20 Angie Nixon defeated Alex Vindman to win the Democratic Senate nomination.
- Aug 20 Nixon secured 56% of more than 1.25 million votes in the Democratic primary, while Moody captured nearly 80% of over 1.65 million votes in the GOP primary.
- Aug 21 Moskowitz secured the Democratic nomination with roughly 64.2% of the vote.
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