Why it Matters

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL-23) spent the week between House sessions on constituent work across South Florida, highlighting federal funding for Florida Atlantic University, recognizing a local Congressional Award recipient and calling for federal assistance following a major earthquake in Colombia. The activity came four days before Florida’s Aug. 18 Democratic primary, where Moskowitz is running in the newly drawn 25th District against Democratic Socialist Oliver Larkin.

Moskowitz visited Hammock Pointe Elementary and Omni Middle School in Boca Raton on the first day of school, dropping off breakfast for teachers. He also presented 18-year-old constituent Marco Ferri with the Congressional Award Gold and Silver Medals after a three-and-a-half-year commitment that included documenting the stories of Korean War veterans and delivering a eulogy for a veteran’s family at Chattanooga National Cemetery. Moskowitz described the Gold Medal as the highest Congressional Award honor available to young Americans.

On the international front, Moskowitz called on the federal government to deploy search, rescue and medical support to Colombia following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Chocó on Aug. 10. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the 7.4-magnitude earthquake near San José del Palmar in western Colombia. “South Florida is home to one of the largest Colombian communities in the United States,” he wrote. “Our neighbors are still trying to reach relatives in Chocó who have no power and no way to answer the phone.”

What They're Talking About

FEMA readiness remains a recurring theme for Moskowitz, who previously led Florida’s Division of Emergency Management. On the third anniversary of the Lahaina wildfire, Moskowitz warned that the lesson “hasn't changed: when disaster hits, communities need FEMA ready and fully resourced. We can't afford to have FEMA anything less than ready the next time a town like Lahaina calls for help.” His public statement is independently reflected on his congressional social media accounts.

Social Security was another focus on Aug. 14, the 91st anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt signing the Social Security Act. “The right to a dignified retirement is not a handout, it's earned,” Moskowitz posted. “At a time when some would rather chip away at it than protect it, it's up to all of us to defend it.”

Moskowitz also highlighted $1 million in federal funding he helped secure for Florida Atlantic University’s Chip Design Hub. FAU said the funding will support advanced chip design, testing and fabrication equipment and prepare students for careers in the semiconductor industry. “Building it in America starts with building the workforce first,” he said. FAU independently credited Moskowitz with championing the $1 million award.

In the News

Moskowitz also drew national coverage tied largely to Tuesday’s Democratic primary. The Washington Examiner reported that Moskowitz’s previous employment at disaster recovery firm AshBritt has resurfaced as an attack line in the campaign. According to his financial disclosure cited by the outlet, AshBritt paid Moskowitz $445,658 in 2017. The company faced allegations of price gouging after hurricanes, including a Florida attorney general investigation that year into allegations surrounding increased cleanup rates.

Separately, the New York Post reported that Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) planned to appear at a Fort Lauderdale rally supporting progressive challengers to Moskowitz and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), both of whom are Jewish. Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL), quoted in the report, argued it was “no coincidence” that Tlaib was supporting challengers to the two incumbents. Tlaib and other Democrats have previously accused Fine of anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Fox News framed Moskowitz’s primary as part of a broader push by Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates against more moderate and pro-Israel Democrats. The Guardian likewise reported that Moskowitz faces Larkin in the Aug. 18 primary and described the race as a test of whether recent Democratic Socialist electoral successes can translate to a newly drawn and more competitive South Florida district.

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