NRT briefing
'More power, more money': Inside the economic clash over Florida's free-market boom
Based on reporting by Fox Business.
The Brief
Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., is warning that the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) platform, which she says boils down to "give us more power, or give us more money," threatens Florida's $1.8 trillion free-market economy. In a sit-down interview with Fox News Digital in Miami, Moody contrasted Florida's economic success with what she describes as the failures of socialist policies in blue states and cities, pointing to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's election and subsequent wealth migration to Florida.
Moody, a former federal prosecutor and Florida attorney general, argued that government intervention drives up costs and reduces quality, while private market competition keeps prices lower and encourages innovation. She also referenced Cuba's state-controlled economy as a cautionary tale, noting the Cuban exile community in Florida.
Moody faces DSA member and Democratic state Rep. Angie Nixon in the Nov. 3 general election. Nixon's campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on Moody's remarks. Florida's economy, according to a July 2026 Florida Chamber Foundation report, grew 6.3% over the previous year, making it the world's 14th-largest economy, surpassing Australia and Mexico.
NRT commentary
How We See It
Sen. Moody's warning about the DSA agenda is a stark reminder of the ideological battle over economic freedom. The contrast between Florida's booming economy and the struggles of high-tax, high-regulation states is not a coincidence; it is the result of policies that trust individuals over government. When politicians promise solutions to every problem, they often end up demanding more control and more of your money, as Moody points out. The Cuban exile community in Florida knows firsthand what happens when government seizes private industry—it leads to bread lines and oppression. The fact that Nixon's campaign did not respond to requests for comment is telling. Voters should see the clear choice: free-market principles that lift people up versus a socialist 'pipe dream' that has failed wherever it's been tried.
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