DeSantis replacement, DSA push, ethics scandals and redistricting shakeout: What to watch in Floridas primary election
Several major races are on the ballot next week in Florida’s primary election, where voters will choose nominees to replace term-limited Gov.Ron DeSantis; decide the fate of a scandal-plagued congressman and consider yet another insurgent socialist looking to unseat a centrist Democratic incumbent. The Aug.
18 contests will also be the first since the Sunshine State implemented new congressional maps that experts believe will give Republicans an edge in four House districts come the November midterm elections. Here are the races to watch: The Democratic primary in the newly drawn 25th Congressional District will see centrist Rep.Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) face off against insurgent socialist candidate Oliver Larkin. Larkin, 33, proudly touts endorsements from far-left streamer Hasan Piker and controversial kids YouTuber Ms.
Rachel on his campaign website, along with his active membership with the Broward County Democratic Socialists of America. A former organizer with the 2016 Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, Larkin has expressed support for abolishing the Senate and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza and many other far-left policy positions. Moskowitz, who has served in the House since 2023, is a staunch supporter of Israel and is backed by Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). The incumbent is polling ahead of Larkin, and has the fundraising advantage, heading into primary night. Rep.Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), the former chair of the Democratic National Committee and a member of Congress since 2005, is running in the black-majority 20th Congressional District this year and facing a slew of challengers. Among them is former Rep.
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), who resigned from the House earlier this year after federal prosecutors indicted her on 15 counts related to her alleged use of $5 million in COVID-19 relief funds on her po...