Lori Berman endorses Alex Vindman

The top Democrat in the Florida Senate knows who she wants representing the state in the U.S. Senate.

Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman of Delray Beach is endorsing Alex Vindman as he runs for the statewide office.

“Women’s rights and reproductive freedom are on the ballot, and we need leaders who will never back down from defending them,” Berman said.

“Alex Vindman understands what’s at stake and will fight to protect a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions, not have those decisions made by politicians. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Alex Vindman for the United States Senate.”

Vindman is seeking to challenge U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, a Plant City Republican. But the support from Berman could be especially important as Vindman faces state Rep. Angie Nixon, a Jacksonville Democrat, in an Aug. 18 Primary to decide who advances to the General Election. Berman announced her support the same week Vindman announced key union endorsements and as he announced raising another $8.5 million in the second quarter for his campaign.

Vindman welcomed the support from Berman, one of the most important Democratic leaders in the state.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of Senator Berman and have her in this fight with me,” Vindman said.

“As a father of a 15-year-old daughter, I am running to make sure young people like my daughter have the opportunities and freedoms they need to thrive in Florida. While my opponent Ashley Moody has spent her time in D.C. selling out Floridians to special interests, I am laser-focused on making sure hardworking families can build a quality and affordable life here in Florida.”

Vindman enjoys a certain national profile after providing key testimony to Congress that led to the first impeachment of President Donald Trump. While Florida has seen a rightward shift in voter registrations, Vindman’s campaign released a memo this week arguing a potential path to victory exists thanks to a strong anti-Trump political environment.