Moskowitz fends off Trump-backed rival in Florida battleground

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) is projected to win another term in the House, thwarting the GOP-led redistricting that wracked the Sunshine State earlier this year, according to Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ).

Moskowitz defeated former Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer (R), backed by President Trump, for the seat that became more Trump-friendly under the redrawn maps.

Moskowitz won 51.5 percent of the vote over Singer’s 46.4 percent, with more than 95 percent of the vote counted, per DDHQ as of 8 p.m. EST .

Florida’s 25th Congressional District, encompassing Broward County, was dismantled by redistricting, prompting incumbent Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) to run for reelection in the deep-blue 20th Congressional District being vacated by Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.

Moskowitz, who represents the old 23rd Congressional District, ran for a third House term in the new 25th District, which stretches from South Beach to Delray Beach.

The moderate Democrat emerged the victor in an August primary against Oliver Larkin, a candidate backed by the Democratic Socialists of America who mounted a challenge from Moskowitz’s left — appeasing Democratic concerns that a more progressive candidate would struggle in the general election.

Cook Political Report shifted the race from “toss-up” territory to the “lean Democratic” label just weeks ahead of Election Day, offering a potential bright spot for Democrats seeking to stem Republicans’ redistricting gains in the state.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) championed the Sunshine State’s redistricting before the midterms, moving to expand the current 20-8 House advantage to give the GOP as many as four more pickup opportunities after a Supreme Court case shook up the national redistricting fight.