Two Democrats Compete to Replace Wasserman Schultz in Florida’s 25th District Race

U.S. Rep. Jared E. Moskowitz and union organizer Oliver A. Larkin are competing in the Democratic primary for Florida’s newly redrawn 25th Congressional District, where incumbent Debbie Wasserman Schultz is not seeking reelection. Moskowitz, 45, leads the field with $2.65 million in total campaign receipts as of June 30 filings with the Federal Election Commission, while Larkin, 32, has raised more than $541,000. Both candidates are vying to represent a district that includes portions of South Florida.

Moskowitz represents Florida’s 23rd Congressional District and was born in Coral Springs. His political resume includes service as a Parkland City commissioner from 2006 to 2012, a Florida House member from 2012 to 2019, and director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management under Gov. Ron DeSantis from 2019 to 2021. He holds degrees from George Washington University and Nova Southeastern University’s law school.

Moskowitz has centered his campaign on affordability issues, emphasizing that housing costs, home insurance premiums, groceries, and healthcare expenses have become unaffordable for constituents. He has also framed the race as critical to returning Democratic control of the House and replacing Speaker Mike Johnson with Hakeem Jeffries to hold the Trump administration accountable.

Larkin, a California native who grew up in Fort Lauderdale and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of the South in Tennessee, has positioned himself as a progressive alternative. He has earned the endorsement of the Democratic Socialists of America, a New York-based organization, and supports Medicare for All and universal childcare. Larkin has expressed disappointment with Moskowitz’s record as a congressman.

Moskowitz dismissed the DSA endorsement of Larkin, noting that no DSA-backed candidate has won a Republican-leaning seat. He characterized the 25th District as a red seat in the general election, suggesting it favors Republican candidates. The mail-in ballot request deadline is August 6, with the Democratic primary scheduled for August 18 and the general election on November 3.