Jared Moskowitz wins Florida primary as Trump-backed GOP remap shapes November races

Primary Night Overview

Tuesday's primaries in Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming offered a fresh snapshot of voter sentiment ahead of November's midterm elections, with results spanning from a historic socialist victory to mixed outcomes for President Donald Trump's endorsed candidates. In Florida, Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz was projected to win the primary in the state's 25th congressional district, fending off challenger Oliver Larkin, who was backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

Moskowitz, a pro-Israel Democrat, was running in a newly drawn district after Florida's redistricting this year, a process intended to help Republicans gain seats in Congress. The contest drew attention not only for its outcome but for Moskowitz's sharp criticism of the DSA and left-wing Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who had campaigned against his renomination.

Moskowitz vs. Larkin: A Divisive Race

Moskowitz defeated Larkin by nearly 30 points, according to results cited from The New York Times. After his win, Moskowitz told Politico that Florida is known for hurricanes, adding, "so the DSA is a disaster area in Florida — and there's no federal reimbursement coming to help these people." In a separate interview with CNN, he said of the DSA: "They want to get rid of prisons and no borders. Most Americans hear that stuff and they say what is going on."

The race also featured a personal feud with Piker, who during a virtual rally for Larkin in June accused Moskowitz of being a "fascist collaborator." After the race was called, Moskowitz posted "My condolences" on social media, tagging Piker. Piker responded, writing "Its pretty wild that his first thought was a prominent critic of Israel, before even thanking his constituents."

Despite the animosity, Larkin called Moskowitz after the election and the two had a good conversation, according to reports. Jamie Metzl, a former Clinton-era official, said the outcome could reflect where Democratic primary voters are. "Although there have been some significant victories for the DSA in Democratic primaries, that's not where the average voter, even the average Democratic voter is," Metzl told The National News Desk.

Nixon's Upset in Senate Primary

In a separate race, state Representative Angie Nixon beat Alexander Vindman for the Democratic nomination in Florida's US Senate race, becoming the first member of the DSA to win a statewide primary, although the group did not endorse her. Nixon's victory, described by The Guardian as a "shocking upset," came despite Vindman's significant cash advantage and backing from leading Democrats. Vindman, known for his role as a whistleblower during Trump's first term, lost by a wide margin, with the Washington Examiner reporting a 12.2-point spread.

Nixon campaigned on Medicare for All, free childcare, and taxing billionaires. She drew statewide attention this year for staging a sit-in over redistricting in Governor Ron DeSantis's office, which ended with her arrest. She was nearly $7 million behind Vindman in cash on hand as of election day.

Trump's Mixed Endorsement Record

Trump's endorsements yielded split results. In Florida, Representative Byron Donalds cruised to victory in the Republican gubernatorial primary, receiving 47.8% of the vote, with Jay Collins at 25.2% and James Fishback at 10.5%. But in Wyoming, Trump-endorsed Megan Degenfelder fell to state Senator Eric Barlow in the GOP gubernatorial primary, losing by over 15 points. Other Trump-endorsed losers this year included Burt Jones in Georgia and Mike Lindell in Minnesota, according to the Washington Examiner.

The online-candidate phenomenon also proved weak. James Fishback, backed by neo-Nazi influencer Nick Fuentes, came in third in the Florida gubernatorial primary. Dan Bilzerian fell to Randy Fine by nearly 40 points, after claiming votes were stolen. Fine thanked Trump and others on X after his win.

Alaska Senate Race Takes Shape

In Alaska, the nonpartisan US Senate primary set up a marquee November contest. Incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan won his primary, and former congresswoman Mary Peltola won the Democratic nomination. With counting incomplete, the Associated Press reported that another Republican candidate named Dan Sullivan and Democrat David B Leslie are in the lead to appear on the November ballot.

Peltola led Sullivan in the primary, winning 48% of the vote to Sullivan's 42.8%, a result that may signal trouble for the incumbent. The Cook Political Report pings the race as a toss-up, despite Trump having won the state by 13.1 points in 2024. The race features an unusual element: a Republican candidate with an almost identical name, Dan J. Sullivan, who remained on the ballot despite attempts to remove him. A judge ordered that he could not be removed. The US Justice Department is investigating whether Dan J. Sullivan entered the race to confuse voters and siphon votes from the incumbent. Trump urged voters to vote for the "real Dan Sullivan," calling the challenger an "imposter."

Other Notable Results

In Florida, establishment Democrats largely fended off progressive challengers. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz won her primary by 22 points over her next closest challenger, despite criticism for running in the historically Black 20th district. Representative Cory Mills lost his primary to Ryan Elijah by a 13.2-point margin; Mills had faced allegations of domestic violence, stolen valor, and financial impropriety, and was under investigation by the House ethics committee. Elijah, a former local news anchor, will face Navy veteran Bale Dalton in the general election.

In Wyoming, Chuck Gray won the at-large US House seat. In Pennsylvania, Brandon Dukes won a special election for a statehouse seat against Scott Timko, in a district Trump carried by 18 points in 2024. Democrats also ousted a Moms for Liberty board member in Sarasota and won an at-large city council seat in Jacksonville.

Looking Ahead to November

Florida's new congressional map, pushed by the Republican-controlled legislature, is expected to net Republicans up to four seats and could leave the state with a House delegation of 24 Republicans and only four Democrats. With primaries now set, attention turns to November, where control of the House and Senate hangs in the balance.