Moskowitz, Singer to face off in redrawn district

Jared Moskowitz overcame a challenge from Democratic Socialist candidate Oliver Larkin to face off against Republican Scott Singer in November. The Florida legislature is one of 10 states across that country that redrew its congressional maps over the last year to favor a certain political party. Legislators in the sunshine moved forward a map in an effort to flip four Democratic controlled districts to heavily-favored Republican battlegrounds. Here is a look at results from those districts. District 25 Incumbent Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla, fended off a challenge from Democratic Socialist Oliver Larkin to notch the party's nomination in the 25th district, an area he has previously not represented. Scott Singer, former mayor of Boca Raton, secured the Republican nomination for the district. He has focused his campaign on cutting taxes and touting his policies as a former mayor. "In Congress, I'll oppose any tax increases, cut red tape, and grow the economy. We are still suffering from the high inflation and weak economy caused by Biden's failed policies," Singer told Ballotpedia. "Republicans in Congress and President Trump passed the biggest tax cuts in American history, with no taxes on tips, overtime, or Social Security. We've seen high growth in GDP and lowered inflation." Moskowitz has touted his record as a bipartisan lawmaker throughout his campaign. He has introduced legislation requiring the Trump administration to move forward with a plan for leadership in Venezuela, after the capture of president Nicholas Maduro. The incumbent congressman also pushed for building more affordable housing units across the country in an effort to lower the cost of living. "In Congress, he'll fight to bring down the cost of living, address economic hardship and housing issues that have impacted the state," Moskowitz' website reads. The Cook Political Report ranks Florida's 25th congressional district as a "toss up" which means a candidate from either party has a shot at winning. District 14 Incumbent Rep Kathy Castor, D-Fla., will face off against Mike Beltran for the newly drawn congressional district in November. Beltran called for cutting taxes, balancing the federal budget and supporting deportation efforts. "Mike strongly supports President Trump's Working Families Tax Cut, delivering no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and real relief for seniors on Social Security," Beltran's website reads. Castor has focused her campaign on legislative history, touting her affirmative vote for the ROAD to Housing Act, legislation that restricted institutional investors from purchasing single family homes. "The bipartisan bill incentivizes the permitting and construction of new homes and residences," Castor said. "Homes are for people, not for hedge fund managers. I am particularly pleased that, through this legislation, we will improve Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR), which has delivered billions of dollars in disaster recovery funding to Tampa Bay communities and neighbors impacted by recent hurricanes." District 22 Pia Dandiya, a former high school principal, will face off against Casey Askar in a district without an incumbent candidate. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., represented Florida's 22nd district before the state's maps shifted, moving her to the 23rd congressional district. Dandiya has focused her campaign on fighting the Trump administration's tariff policies, expanding affordable housing and lowering prescription drug costs. "Too many families are working harder than ever and still finding economic security out of reach," Dandiya said. "Nowhere is that squeeze sharper than in South Florida, where soaring housing costs and some of the highest property insurance premiums in the country stretch every budget to the breaking point." Askar has focused his campaign on cutting taxes and overhauling the country's tax code. "Pass a Tax Limitation Balanced Budget Amendment to tackle the national debt and force the fiscal discipline Washington has refused to impose on itself," Askar's website reads. District 9 Incumbent Rep. Darren Soto will defend his seat against Dan Green, a former defense official under President Trump. Soto has touted his record as a congressman in the central Florida district since 2017. He said he brought more than $1 billion to the district over his tenure. "I am fighting for long overdue investments to modernize our roads, bridges, schools, water systems, and clean energy capacity," Soto's website reads. "These investments in our country are what created the middle class, and renewed investment would help local business and provide employment and purpose to Floridians currently out of work." Green has focused his campaign on lowering costs, supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs and passing a federal budget on time. "Floridians deserve proven leaders in Washington who will stand with President Trump to protect our constitutional government and ensure access to the American Dream," Green said. "Hard working families and small business owners can't afford the gridlock in Congress that keeps our nation in debt and our liberties at risk." The four Republican-leaning congressional districts in Florida will be key for the party as it seeks to hold and advance its slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives come November.