Alex Vindman Launches Florida Senate Campaign, Citing Trump Impeachment Testimony
Former Army veteran Alex Vindman, a key witness during President Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial in 2019, has officially launched his campaign for the Senate in Florida as a Democrat.
Vindman announced his candidacy on Tuesday, making his prior testimony during Trump’s impeachment a central theme in his launch video.
"The last time you saw me was here, swearing an oath to tell the truth about a president who broke his."
He also referenced his family's refugee background, adding:
"my family came here as refugees to escape tyranny, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to bow down to some wannabe tyrant."
Florida's Challenging Political Landscape
Florida’s political landscape presents a significant challenge for Democrats, as the state has increasingly favored Republicans in recent years. Democrats have not secured a Senate victory in Florida since Bill Nelson’s re-election in 2012.
In the 2024 election, Trump won Florida by 13 points, and Marco Rubio secured re-election in 2022 by 16 points, capturing nearly 58% of the vote.
Background: Vindman's Impeachment Testimony
Vindman, a retired lieutenant colonel and Iraq War veteran, testified in 2019 that while serving on the National Security Council, he observed Trump attempting to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to investigate Joe Biden and his son, as well as the 2016 election, during a call between the two leaders.
Vindman, who was born in Ukraine, later retired from the Army, alleging that Trump blocked his promotion. He and his twin brother, Eugene, were removed from their National Security Council posts following Trump’s impeachment trial.
Campaign Message: Critiquing Trump and the State of the Nation
In his campaign launch, Vindman stated that the former president:
"unleashed a reign of terror and retribution not just against me and my family, but against all of us."
He described the country as being "in chaos," citing issues such as:
"Thug militias attacking citizens. Tariffs pushing prices sky-high. Health care premiums through the roof."
Challenging Sen. Ashley Moody
Vindman is seeking to challenge GOP Sen. Ashley Moody, who was appointed to the Senate after Rubio became Trump’s secretary of state. The upcoming special election in November will determine who serves the remainder of Rubio’s term.
Vindman criticized Moody in his launch video, saying:
"They put Moody in the Senate to be a ‘yes’ vote for Trump and the billionaires. She’s not Florida’s senator. She’s theirs."
The Democratic primary, scheduled for August 18, includes multiple candidates such as Jennifer Jenkins, Hector Mujica, and state Rep. Angie Nixon.