Florida House Issues First Lawmaker Reprimand in 20 Years to Nixon
Florida House delivers its first lawmaker reprimand in over two decades to Jacksonville Democrat Angie Nixon for using bullhorn during redistricting debate.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — The Florida House Rules and Ethics Committee on Thursday delivered its first official reprimand to a lawmaker in more than 20 years, formally sanctioning Rep. Angie Nixon for using a bullhorn during a heated congressional redistricting debate.
The Jacksonville Democrat received the rare punishment for repeatedly blaring a pink loudspeaker during an April 29 floor session, marking the Legislature’s first reprimand since 2005 when Democratic state Sen. Mandy Dawson was castigated for allegedly soliciting lobbyist money for a South Africa vacation.
“I don’t care if I get a reprimand. I don’t even care if they expel me, because I’m standing up for my elders,” Nixon told reporters after the committee’s decision. “Stop doing illegal things and I won’t call you out with a pink microphone.”
Rare Legislative Action
The GOP-dominated committee approved the reprimand via voice vote during a half-hour deliberation, despite mumbled “nos” from Democratic members. Nixon, who is running for U.S. Senate, was barred from speaking during the proceedings.
“A reprimand is a serious action, but also a measured one,” said Rules Chair Rep. Sam Garrison, a Fleming Island Republican who will become House Speaker in November. “It recognizes the need for accountability, but it balances it with a measure of grace that I believe each of us would hope for if the roles were reversed.”
The 42-year-old Nixon appeared at Thursday’s hearing wearing hot pink attire matching the color of her bullhorn and the outfit she wore during the April incident. She alleged House leadership never directly contacted her about the hearing, claiming she learned about it through social media.
Potential Future Consequences
The reprimand could serve as a foundation for formal censure if Nixon violates House rules again. The punishment represents an escalation from more recent disciplinary actions, which included letters of admonition for then-Sen. Darren Soto in 2014 and then-Sen. Mike Haridopolos in 2011.
Nixon’s bullhorn incident occurred during contentious debates over congressional redistricting maps, highlighting ongoing tensions between Republican and Democratic lawmakers over the redrawing of district boundaries.
The committee’s action shows the Legislature’s willingness to formally discipline members for disruptive behavior, even as partisan divisions continue to intensify over key policy issues affecting Florida’s political environment.
