Full Breakdown
Jared Moskowitz Defeats DSA Challenger Oliver Larkin in Florida’s Redrawn 25th District Primary
8/20/2026, 2:42:33 AM
Core Event
Incumbent Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) won the Democratic primary for the newly redrawn 25th Congressional District, securing roughly 63.5% of the vote to Oliver Larkin’s 36.5%. The victory keeps the seat in Democratic hands ahead of the November general election against Republican former Boca Raton mayor Scott Singer.
Background & Context
The district was reshaped by the Florida legislature to favor Republicans, stretching along the Atlantic coast from Miami-Dade to Palm Beach counties. Moskowitz, a former emergency-management director for Gov. Ron DeSantis, ran as a pragmatic, pro-Israel Democrat. Larkin, a 34-year-old union organizer, campaigned on Medicare for All, abolishing ICE, and ending U.S. military aid to Israel. The race highlights the ideological split within the Florida Democratic Party between establishment centrists and the growing DSA wing.
Data & Statistics
- Vote share: Moskowitz ? 63.5%; Larkin ? 36.5% (campaign filings).
- Fundraising: Moskowitz raised nearly $3 million, including $953,000 from donors linked to AIPAC and over $300,000 from the AI-focused super-PAC “Leading the Future.” Larkin raised just over $1 million, primarily from small donors.
- Polling: A Center for Strategic Politics poll before the primary showed a 40%-38% gap, while an earlier Beacon Insights poll placed Moskowitz at 51% to Larkin’s 19%.
Official Statements & Responses
“I’ve had to show discipline for the last two months online that I did not know I had,” — Rep. Jared Moskowitz
“Congressman Moskowitz doesn’t want to be accountable to voters in this district,” — Oliver Larkin
The Sun Sentinel editorial board called Moskowitz’s claim that Larkin was running “solely on my religion” “demonstrably untrue.”
Criticism & Opposition
- Joe Concha, Washington Examiner columnist, warned that Moskowitz’s primary battle signals a leftward drift that could hurt Democrats in swing states, citing DSA proposals such as abolishing ICE.
- Scott Singer, Boca Raton mayor, said Moskowitz has become less centrist since entering Congress.
On-the-Ground Reports
At a rally on August 14, 2026, Larkin appeared with Rep. Rashida Tlaib in Fort Lauderdale, drawing a crowd of hundreds. Pro-Israel activists later sought to cancel the event.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Polls produced divergent pictures of competitiveness. The Center for Strategic Politics poll suggested a tight race, while exit-poll numbers indicated a decisive 63.5%-36.5% margin. No post-primary polling has clarified whether the discrepancy stemmed from methodological differences or late-stage voter shifts.
Why It Matters
The primary outcome underscores tension between establishment Democrats emphasizing bipartisan credibility and a DSA faction pushing a leftward agenda. Moskowitz’s pro-Israel stance and AIPAC ties contrast sharply with Larkin’s anti-aid platform, showing how foreign-policy positions can shape intra-party contests in swing districts.
What’s Next
Moskowitz will face Republican Scott Singer in November. Both candidates have begun fundraising; Moskowitz is emphasizing disaster preparedness and gun-safety legislation, while Singer promises “common-sense solutions.” The contest will test moderate versus progressive messaging in a district that voted for President Donald Trump in 2024.
