Rep. Jared Moskowitz cruised to victory in the Florida 25th Congressional District Democratic primary on Tuesday, Aug. 18, defeating progressive challenger Oliver Larkin by roughly 28 percentage points in a race that divided the district's large Jewish community over Israel policy and antisemitism.

The Associated Press called the race with unofficial results showing Moskowitz at 63.5% to Larkin's 36%, according to multiple outlets reporting election-night tallies. The district stretches along the coast from Delray Beach through Aventura and Sunny Isles Beach to Miami Beach, and roughly a quarter of its residents are Jewish.

"Tonight, Democratic voters sent a clear message. I faced a challenge from the DSA. They threw everything at me and I didn't change who I am or what I believe, and the voters overwhelmingly chose the independent-minded approach I've brought to Congress," Moskowitz said in a statement.

Larkin, a Fort Lauderdale native and digital marketing consultant endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, conceded at a watch party at Mad Arts in Dania Beach before more than 100 supporters, WUSF reported. He called Moskowitz that night and pledged to help Democrats win the seat in November.

What it means for Aventura area voters

The primary settles a bitter intraparty fight that had drawn national attention and significant outside money. Moskowitz, a two-term congressman from Parkland who moved to the redrawn CD 25 after redistricting eliminated his prior district, raised $2.5 million through June 30, with AIPAC contributing $667,200 of that total, according to OpenSecrets data cited in Sun Sentinel reporting. Larkin raised approximately $542,000, boosted in part by streamer Hasan Piker, who contributed the legal maximum of $7,000 and helped raise $52,000 during a March 9 livestream.

Moskowitz had refused to appear alongside Larkin during the campaign, accusing the challenger of embracing supporters who trafficked in antisemitism. Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, senior rabbi at Boca Raton Synagogue, changed his voter registration from Republican to Democratic specifically to vote for Moskowitz in the primary. Larkin rejected the antisemitism charges, telling a July 23 town hall in Dania Beach that his campaign "believes in collective liberation for all people."

November general election

The harder fight may be ahead.

Moskowitz will face former Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer, who won a five-candidate Republican primary with 31.3% of the vote, in the Nov. 3 general election, the Sun Sentinel reported. Libertarian Peter Jassenoff will also be on the ballot.

Both the Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball rate the district as a toss-up. Voters with no party affiliation form the largest bloc at 35.9%, ahead of Republicans at 32.9% and Democrats at 31.2%, according to Florida Politics. Donald Trump carried the redrawn district by about 9 points in 2024.

Singer framed the general election as a must-win for Republicans. "FL-25 is a critical pickup opportunity, and winning this seat is essential to protecting and strengthening our Republican House majority," he said in a statement on election night.

The district is one of four Democratic-held seats rated as toss-ups that could help determine control of the U.S. House in the November midterms.