Former President Barack Obama has endorsed the Democratic candidates in Florida's Senate and governor races. The endorsements came less than two weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections 1. Angie Nixon, running for the U.S. Senate, and David Jolly, running for governor, each posted a video of Obama on the social platform X on Saturday morning 1.
Obama won Florida in both of his presidential campaigns, The Hill noted 1. His backing is a late boost for two candidates in a state Republicans usually win.
What Obama said about Nixon
In her video, Obama praised Nixon's record. He said she has consistently fought for policies to help people, including a $15 minimum wage and efforts to stop congressional redistricting in Florida 1.
One leader willing to stand up again and again for what’s right
Nixon, a Democratic state representative from Jacksonville, said she and Obama both started as organizers in their communities 12. She won the Democratic primary earlier this year, upsetting Alex Vindman 2. She faces Republican Sen. Ashley Moody, who was appointed to Marco Rubio's seat when he became Secretary of State 1.
From Channel GOPAngie Nixon lists what her Senate target won't discussAngie Nixon · 147 plays · captioned, with the source named
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) campaigned with Nixon last week 1.
What Obama said about Jolly
In Jolly's video, Obama called the former Republican congressman "independent-minded." He said Jolly is focused on lowering the cost of housing and health care and on making sure every child gets a great education 1.
Elections are about who will fight for you and in this election, it’s David Jolly.
Jolly served one term in the U.S. House as a Republican. He became an independent in 2019 and registered as a Democrat last year, then launched his run for governor 1. He faces Rep. Byron Donalds, a Republican, in November 1.
What happens next
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Republicans have already tried to tie the two Democrats together. After Nixon's primary win, GOP speakers at a Tampa rally repeatedly called her a socialist and linked Jolly to her 2.
Nixon is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, but she says she is not a socialist and disagrees with parts of the group's platform 2. Jolly runs a more centrist campaign and says he rejects socialism 2.
That matters because the two Democrats are very different candidates. Obama's endorsement of both shows a party trying to unite them before voting ends.
The Hill's report does not say whether Obama will campaign in Florida in person. We will update this story if that changes.
The Record
Sources
- The Hill, “Obama endorses Nixon, Jolly in last-minute campaign boost” (2026-10-24). thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6170235-jolly-nixon-receive-ob
- WUSF, “Florida Republicans seize on Angie Nixon's win in election messaging” (2026-08-21). wusf.org/text/politics-issues/2026-08-21/florida-republicans
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