‘Children and families should not be exploited by restaurants needing more labor,’ said Rep. Angie Nixon. Credit: Photo via State of Florida

Rather than pay a fine, state Rep. Angie Nixon is contesting the trespassing charges brought from her sit-in protest outside DeSantis’ office in the Capitol in May when the Republican-controlled Legislature redrew the state’s congressional map.

“This is the weaponization of a justice system to punish political pushback,” Nixon told reporters outside the Leon County Courthouse on Wednesday. “This is a coordinated, desperate attempt by Ron DeSantis to intimidate and silence anyone who dares to challenge their absolute grip on power.”

The jury trial was scheduled for the week of Sept. 21.

The new maps could help Republicans pick up seats in Florida and ultimately retain control of the U.S. House in the midterm elections.

Nixon, who is also running to be the party’s nominee for U.S. Senate, held her sit-in and was arrested one day after being reprimanded by the House Rules and Ethics Committee for her loud protest on the House floor that disrupted the vote on new congressional district maps.

The trial would occur a month after the Aug. 18 primary where she is going up against retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman, who became a national figure in President Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial.

Nixon expressed pride that she hasn’t found backing from mainstream national party outfits in her U.S. Senate bid.

“I’m not an establishment pig. I’m a pig for the people and the hardworking families here in the state of Florida,” Nixon said. “I want to be even more clear, Republicans are a problem. But corporate Democrats are a problem as well. They are colluding with one another.”

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This article appears in July 16 – 22, 2026.