Angie Nixon, the Democratic contender for the U.S. Senate seat in Florida, has taken a firm stance against the criticisms aimed at her as the campaign nears its conclusion. In an exclusive interview, she asserted, "I am not a communist, I am not a socialist. When asked about my views on capitalism, I simply say: I am a small business owner."
These remarks follow a wave of disapproval sparked by her recent comments on CBS News, where she stated that she "would have to believe them" when describing Cuba as a dictatorship. This statement drew ire from Republicans and even a fellow Democrat.
This time, Nixon left no room for ambiguity: "Cuba is a dictatorship, absolutely. I do not support Fidel Castro nor do I support tributes or celebrations in his honor, just as I do not support celebrating the authoritarian leader in Washington, Donald Trump."
Nixon also pledged to advocate for Cubans holding I-220A forms. Follow all the details about immigration policies affecting the community in our U.S. Immigration section.
Addressing Socialist Allegations
In response to accusations linking her to socialism due to her association with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), the state representative from Jacksonville responded with irony: "It's curious how selective these accusations are. I have far greater concerns about the communist tendencies of someone who cozies up to Delcy Rodríguez, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un, and China's leader. And that is Donald Trump."
She clarified that she doesn't align with all DSA positions, nor does she endorse every proposal from the Democratic Party. She was straightforward in rejecting the DSA's International Committee's statement following the July 11, 2021 protests in Cuba, which expressed solidarity with the "revolution" and blamed the embargo for the crisis without condemning the repression: "No, I do not support those statements. My solidarity is always with those who suffer and demand their rights."
She acknowledged that the U.S. embargo "has contributed to making things difficult," but she was clear in identifying the regime as the main culprit for the Cuban people's crisis.
Military Intervention Stance
Nixon firmly opposed any military intervention against the Cuban dictatorship: "I oppose the use of military force. We all know how a war starts, but never how it ends or how many innocent people it harms." She cited the conflict with Iran—where approximately twenty American soldiers perished—as an example of the risks of acting without congressional support.
The Plight of Cubans with I-220A
The most challenging part of the interview focused on the situation of Cubans with I-220A forms, trapped in an immigration limbo that prevents them from applying for residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act. An estimated 400,000 to 500,000 Cubans are in this predicament.
"Donald Trump is the deporter-in-chief of Cubans, the president who has deported more Cubans than any other in history: between 13,000 and 15,000," Nixon claimed, a figure that PolitiFact rated as "mostly true" when considering deportations from both terms.
The candidate accused Trump and her Republican opponent, Ashley Moody, of being complicit in deporting Cuban refugees "back to the same communist dictatorship they fled from, or to African countries," and criticized Republicans for turning Miami into the national capital of ICE detentions.
The special elections for the Florida Senate, called to fill the seat left vacant by Marco Rubio's appointment as Secretary of State, are scheduled for next Tuesday. An NBC Miami poll released in mid-October showed Moody leading with 51% compared to Nixon's 42% among state voters, although among Latino voters the difference narrowed to just one point: 45% for Nixon and 44% for Moody.
"In the Senate, I will defend and support any concrete measure, regardless of its origin, that allows Cubans with I-220A to regularize their status under the Cuban Adjustment Act," Nixon promised. "We cannot continue to terrorize victims of authoritarian governments who have come to our country seeking refuge."
Understanding the Impact of Florida's Senate Race
What is Angie Nixon's stance on Cuba?
Angie Nixon clearly identifies Cuba as a dictatorship and rejects any support for Fidel Castro or authoritarianism.
How does Nixon view the U.S. embargo on Cuba?
While acknowledging the embargo's contribution to difficulties, Nixon emphasizes the Cuban regime as the primary cause of the country's crisis.
What is Nixon's position on military intervention in Cuba?
Nixon opposes military intervention in Cuba, highlighting the unpredictable nature and potential harm of war.
What challenges do Cubans with I-220A face?
Cubans with I-220A are in an immigration limbo, unable to apply for residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act, affecting an estimated 400,000 to 500,000 individuals.