Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York made a low-key visit to Central Florida on Wednesday to support Angie Nixon’s bid for the Florida State Senate, underscoring the growing importance of the region in the state’s progressive movement. The gathering, held at a park in Kissimmee, south of Orlando, brought together more than 50 volunteers and organizers mobilizing in advance of the midterm election cycle.

Ocasio-Cortez, who has been selective in endorsing progressive candidates this election season, emphasized a grassroots approach during her remarks. “They don’t see us coming,” she told the volunteers. She highlighted a strategy focused on building strong voter turnout from Orlando and its surrounding suburbs rather than targeting traditionally high-profile areas like Miami, which has seen a shift toward the Republican Party in recent years.

Nixon, a former legislator running as a Democrat against Republican incumbent Senator Ashley Moody, has made grassroots organizing central to her campaign. Instead of traditional rallies, Nixon focuses on small appearances aimed at recruiting volunteers to canvass and make voter contacts. This approach contributed to her unexpected 12-point victory in the Democratic primary last month, despite being outspent and facing opposition from establishment figures.

The general election presents a steeper challenge. Nixon will need to broaden her appeal to a wider voter base, including independents and moderate Republicans, in a diverse and costly statewide race. Nixon has also requested a debate with Moody. However, Moody declined a debate invitation from a local Jacksonville television station, reportedly calling Nixon “truly anti-American” in a recent interview. Nixon responded by labeling Moody as “runaway Ashley” in a statement.

Ocasio-Cortez’s presence was preceded by a recent endorsement and was introduced at the event by Representative Maxwell Alejandro Frost, the first member of Congress born in Generation Z. Frost and other local officials have been integral in building a year-round progressive campaign infrastructure throughout Central Florida.

Kissimmee, which has a significant Puerto Rican population—a community to which Ocasio-Cortez also belongs—served as a symbolic location for the event. Nixon stressed the value of staying connected to grassroots supporters who “are not bought and paid for,” reflecting the campaign’s emphasis on bottom-up organizing as the candidate seeks to unseat the incumbent senator.

The visit, notable for its quiet nature and limited media presence, signals a strategic effort by progressive leaders to shore up support in a key region as Florida remains a critical battleground in the upcoming midterm elections.