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Jared Moskowitz

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Jared Moskowitz
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 23rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byTed Deutch
Member of the
Broward County Commission
from the 8th district
In office
January 12, 2022 – January 3, 2023
Appointed byRon DeSantis
Preceded byBarbara Sharief
Succeeded byRobert McKinzie
Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management
In office
January 15, 2019 – April 30, 2021
GovernorRon DeSantis
Preceded byWes Maul
Succeeded byKevin Guthrie
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 97th district
In office
November 6, 2012 – January 11, 2019
Preceded byMartin David Kiar
Succeeded byDan Daley
Personal details
Born
Jared Evan Moskowitz

(1980-12-18) December 18, 1980 (age 44)
Coral Springs, Florida, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseLeah Rifkin
EducationGeorge Washington University (BA)
Nova Southeastern University (JD)
WebsiteHouse website

Jared Evan Moskowitz (/ˈmɒskəwɪts/ MOSS-kə-wits; born December 18, 1980) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 23rd congressional district since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served on the Broward County Commission from 2022 to 2023 and as director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management from 2019 to 2021. Moskowitz also represented the Coral Springs-Parkland area in the Florida House of Representatives from 2012 to 2019.

Early life and education

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Moskowitz was born on December 18, 1980, in Coral Springs, Florida.[1] His father, Michael, was an attorney, philanthropist, and prominent Democratic fundraiser.[2] Moskowitz graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.[3] He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science[4] from George Washington University[5] and a Juris Doctor from the Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University.[6]

Early political career

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Moskowitz began his political career as an intern for Vice President Al Gore and later worked as an assistant on Joe Lieberman's 2004 presidential campaign.[7] In 2008, he was a Florida delegate pledged to Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention.[7]

While attending law school, Moskowitz was elected to the Parkland City Commission in 2006 and reelected in 2010.[1] As a city commissioner, he supported efforts to make the city more eco-friendly by providing subsidies to households that purchased low-flow toilets and showerheads, energy-efficient air conditioners, and hybrid cars.[8] He resigned in 2012 to run for the state legislature.[1]

After law school, Moskowitz worked as the director of government relations and general counsel for AshBritt Environmental, a disaster recovery and environmental services company.[7][9]

Florida House of Representatives

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Following the 2012 redistricting, Moskowitz ran for the newly drawn 97th house district, which consisted of northern Broward County. He won the Democratic primary unopposed and advanced to the general election, where he faced Republican nominee James Gleason, a business owner who had been an unsuccessful candidate for mayor of Coral Springs. The Sun-Sentinel praised both candidates as "good choices for an open seat" but endorsed Moskowitz, declaring that his "good grasp of statewide and local issues" made him the better candidate.[10] He defeated Gleason with 69% of the vote.[11]

During his first term in the legislature, Moskowitz sponsored a memorial for Robert Levinson, who has been held as a hostage in Iran since 2007, calling on "Congress, the Obama administration and the Secretary of State's office to work to get Levinson home." Moskowitz's proposed memorial passed both houses of the legislature and was signed by Governor Rick Scott.[12]

In 2014 and 2016, Moskowitz was reelected to the legislature without opposition.

In 2018, after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Moskowitz helped draft the bipartisan Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Safety Act, a bill to tighten gun control, school security, and school safety.[13]

Division of Emergency Management

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Moskowitz announces the establishment of COVID-19 testing sites in Florida, 2020

In December 2018, Governor-elect Ron DeSantis appointed Moskowitz as director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.[14] He took office the next month as the state was recovering from Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 storm.[15][16] As director, he managed Florida's response to multiple crises, including two hurricane seasons and the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, he oversaw the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE), vaccines, and testing supplies.[9]

In 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Moskowitz criticized 3M for diverting millions of N95 masks intended for Florida to foreign buyers offering higher prices. He described his unsuccessful efforts to secure masks, with distributors directing state officials to empty warehouses. According to Moskowitz, 3M's U.S. distributors acknowledged that Florida’s orders were delayed in favor of more profitable foreign sales, including to Germany, Russia, and France.[17][18][19]

Moskowitz also criticized 60 Minutes for running a story that claimed that Governor Ron DeSantis engaged in a pay-to-play scheme with supermarket chain Publix over distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, writing that "[n]o one" from DeSantis's "office suggested Publix" to distribute the vaccines.[20][21]

In April 2021, Moskowitz left the Division of Emergency Management to be closer to his father who had pancreatic cancer.[22][23] He received credit across party lines for his handling of Florida's pandemic response.[9] Later that year, in August, Miami-Dade County mayor Daniella Levine Cava appointed him as an advisor for the county's COVID-19 response.[24]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Elections

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2022

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See also: 2022 Florida's 23rd congressional district election
Florida's 23rd district

In 2022, following Representative Ted Deutch's announcement to leave Congress, Moskowitz declared his candidacy for Florida's 23rd congressional district.[25] He secured the Democratic nomination in the August primary with 61.1% of the vote, defeating a range of challengers including Ben Sorensen who received 20.5%.[26][27]

In the November general election, Moskowitz faced Republican nominee Joe Budd.[4] Moskowitz won with 51.6% of the vote, while Budd received 46.8%. Independent candidates Christine Scott and Mark Napier received 1.1% and 0.5%, respectively.[28][29]

2024

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See also: 2024 Florida's 23rd congressional district election

In 2024, Moskowitz secured reelection for a second term. He faced Republican Joe Kaufman and won with 52.3% of the vote.[30][31] Following his reelection, Moskowitz was informed of a potential assassination plot against him. A suspect was arrested near his home with a rifle and a manifesto containing antisemitic views.[32]

Tenure

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Moskowitz being sworn in with the 118th Congress, 2023

Moskowitz was sworn into office on January 7, 2023, as the U.S. representative for Florida’s 23rd congressional district.[33] During the 118th Congress, he served on the Foreign Affairs and Oversight and Accountability committees.[33] In February, Moskowitz and Republican Representative Mario Díaz-Balart reintroduced the EAGLES Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at expanding the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center to improve research, training, and threat assessment programs for preventing targeted school violence.[34]

In 2024, Moskowitz was named one of six Democrats on a bipartisan task force investigating the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.[35] In September, he co-sponsored the bipartisan Enhanced Presidential Security Act, which aimed to establish equal secret service protection for presidents, vice presidents, and major candidates.[36] The bill was signed into law the next month.[37]

On March 6, 2025, Moskowitz was one of ten Democrats in Congress who joined all of their Republican colleagues in voting to censure Democratic congressman Al Green for interrupting President Donald Trump's speech to Congress.[38]

Committee assignments

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Moskowitz on the Oversight Committee, 2023

Moskowitz's committee assignments for the 119th Congress include:[39]

Caucus memberships

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Moskowitz's caucus memberships include:[40]

  • New Democrat Coalition
  • Bipartisan School Safety and Security Caucus (co-chair)
  • Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Caucus (co-chair and co-founder)

Political positions

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COVID-19 policy

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In February 2023, Moskowitz was one of 11 Democrats who voted in favor of a resolution to end the COVID-19 national emergency.[41][42]

Department of Government Efficiency

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Moskowitz is the only Democrat to have joined the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) caucus in Congress. He has proposed reorganizing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by potentially removing agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Secret Service from its jurisdiction. This proposal aims to reduce the size of the DHS.[43]

Foreign affairs

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Moskowitz with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Israel, 2023

In November 2023, Moskowitz was one of 12 House Democrats to vote for a $14.3 billion aid package to Israel that was funded by cutting the IRS budget.[44] He criticised pro-Palestinians demonstrations at Columbia University as anti-Semitic and said that the university leadership did not protect Jewish students.[45][46] Moskowitz stated the International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu as "irrelevant because Israel is not a party to their treaty."[47]

Immigration

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In 2025, Moskowitz was one of 46 House Democrats who joined all Republicans to vote for the Laken Riley Act.[48]

Personal life

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Moskowitz is married to Leah Rifkin, and they have two children. They live in Coral Springs. He is Jewish.[7][49]

Electoral history

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2024

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2024 General Election for U.S. House of Representatives Florida District 23[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jared E. Moskowitz 194,200 52.3%
Republican Joe Kaufman 176,886 47.7%
Total votes 371,086 100.0%

2022

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2022 General Election for U.S. House of Representatives Florida District 23[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jared E. Moskowitz 143,951 51.6%
Republican Joe Budd 130,681 46.8%
Independent Christine Scott 3,079 1.1%
Independent Mark Napier 1,338 0.5%
Total votes 279,049 100.0%
2022 Democratic Primary for U.S. House of Representatives Florida District 23[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jared E. Moskowitz 38,822 61.0%
Democratic Ben Sorensen 12,952 20.5%
Democratic Hava Holzhauer 5,278 8.3%
Democratic Allen Ellison 4,420 6.9%
Democratic W. Michael Trout 1,176 1.8%
Democratic Michaelangelo Hamilton 1,064 1.7%
Total votes 63,712 100.0%

2018

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2018 Florida House of Representatives District 97 General Election[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jared E. Moskowitz Unopposed 100.0%
Total votes Unopposed 100.0%
2018 Democratic Primary for Florida House of Representatives District 97[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jared E. Moskowitz 17,702 78.8%
Democratic Imtiaz Mohammad 4,758 21.2%
Total votes 22,460 100.0%

2016

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2016 Florida House of Representatives District 97 General Election[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jared E. Moskowitz Unopposed 100.0%
Total votes Unopposed 100.0%

2014

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2014 Florida House of Representatives District 97 General Election[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jared E. Moskowitz Unopposed 100.0%
Total votes Unopposed 100.0%

2012

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2012 Florida House of Representatives District 97 General Election[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jared E. Moskowitz 45,567 68.8%
Republican James Gleason 20,640 31.2%
Total votes 66,207 100.0%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Moskowitz, Jared". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  2. ^ "Prominent Democratic fundraiser dies from pancreatic cancer". AP News. 2022-01-17. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  3. ^ "Shooting was painfully close for state rep who graduated from school targeted by gunman". Tampa Bay Times. February 14, 2018. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  4. ^ a b Matat, Stephany. "Moskowitz v. Budd: Here are the candidates running to fill Ted Deutch's spot in Congress". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  5. ^ "Ten GW Alumni Elected to Congress | GW Today | The George Washington University". GW Today. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  6. ^ "Questionnaire: Jared Moskowitz, candidate for U.S. House District 23". Sun Sentinel. 2022-10-19. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  7. ^ a b c d "Rep. Jared Moskowitz - D Florida, 23rd, In Office - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  8. ^ Skoloff, Brian (December 27, 2007). "Cities enticing residents to go green". USA Today. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c Klas, Mary Ellen (February 16, 2021). "Florida's emergency chief steps down after COVID, hurricanes to 'hit the pause button'". Miami Herald.
  10. ^ "State House Districts 97 and 98: Chose Moskowitz and Edwards". Sun-Sentinel. October 15, 2012. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  11. ^ "Our Campaigns - FL State House 097 Race - Nov 06, 2012". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved Jun 4, 2021.
  12. ^ Huriash, Lisa J. (December 13, 2013). "Government needs to 'step up,' Levinson family says". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  13. ^ Sweeney, Dan (March 6, 2018). "Florida House readies school safety bill for vote". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  14. ^ Huriash, Lisa (2018-12-06). "DeSantis chooses South Florida Democrat as state's emergency management leader". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 2019-01-14.
  15. ^ "Feds boost money for Hurricane Michael recovery". Fox 13 Tampa Bay. January 24, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  16. ^ "Hurricane Michael gets an upgrade to rare Category 5 status". AP News. 2019-04-19. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
  17. ^ Halon, Yael (3 April 2020). "Florida emergency management official says 3M selling masks to foreign countries: 'We're chasing ghosts'". Fox News Channel. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  18. ^ "Interview With Jared Moskowitz, Director of Florida's Division of Emergency Management". WFOR-TV. 3 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  19. ^ Man, Anthony (5 April 2020). "Florida emergency management chief says state will have enough ICU beds and ventilators". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  20. ^ "Ron DeSantis pushes back on allegation of pay-to-play COVID scheme". 2021-04-06. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  21. ^ "Florida governor rebuts vaccine 'pay-to-play' report on CBS". AP News. 2021-04-06. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  22. ^ Ocasio, Bianca (March 4, 2022). "Jared Moskowitz jumps into race to replace Rep. Ted Deutch in Congress". The Miami Hearld.
  23. ^ "Florida Emergency Management Director Moskowitz Steps Down". WUSF. 2021-02-15. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  24. ^ Schweers, Jeffrey. "Jared Moskowitz — Florida's 'Master of Disaster' — to advise Miami-Dade's COVID response". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
  25. ^ Ocasio, Bianca (March 4, 2022). "Jared Moskowitz jumps into race to replace Rep. Ted Deutch in Congress". The Miami Hearld.
  26. ^ "Florida Department of State - Election Results". results.elections.myflorida.com. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  27. ^ Musgrave, Jane. "Jared Moskowitz beats Trump backer Joe Budd in race to replace U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  28. ^ "Florida Department of State - Election Results". results.elections.myflorida.com. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  29. ^ Musgrave, Jane. "Jared Moskowitz beats Trump backer Joe Budd in race to replace U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  30. ^ "Florida Department of State - Election Results". results.elections.myflorida.com. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  31. ^ Geggis, Sonja Isger and Anne. "Final: Democrat Jared Moskowitz wins 2nd term in U.S. House District 23". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  32. ^ "Florida Democrat Moskowitz says man arrested in potential assassination plot". Reuters. November 8, 2024.
  33. ^ a b "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives". web.archive.org. 2023-05-05. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  34. ^ Scheckner, Jesse (2023-02-16). "Mario Díaz-Balart, Jared Moskowitz refile Parkland-inspired EAGLES Act to prevent targeted school violence". Florida Politics. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  35. ^ "House leaders announce members of bipartisan task force investigating Trump assassination attempt". Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  36. ^ Palanza, Libby (2024-09-23). "House Unanimously Passes Legislation Increasing Secret Service Protection For Presidential Candidates". The Maine Wire. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  37. ^ "Biden signs bill to boost Secret Service protection for presidential candidates". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  38. ^ Gedeon, Joseph (March 6, 2025). "Ten Democrats join Republicans to vote to censure Al Green over Trump speech". The Guardian. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  39. ^ "Jared Moskowitz". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  40. ^ a b "Rep. Jared Moskowitz - D Florida, 23rd, In Office - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  41. ^ "House passes resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency". February 2023.
  42. ^ "On Passage - H.J.RES.7: Relating to a national emergency declared by". 12 August 2015.
  43. ^ Solender, Andrew (2024-12-13). "Why some House Democrats are showing interest in Trump and Musk's DOGE plan". Axios. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  44. ^ Oshin, Olafimihan (October 10, 2023). "Florida Democrat says he'll vote for Israel aid bill despite IRS cuts: 'I am not going to take the bait'". The Hill. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  45. ^ Garrity, Kelly (April 21, 2024). "'Antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous': White House responds to chaos at Columbia". Politico. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  46. ^ Fineout, Gary (April 27, 2024). "Democrats find their Florida man". Politico. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  47. ^ Cohen, David (May 26, 2024). "'We might as well call them the Harry Potter Ministry of Magic'". Politico. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  48. ^ Rashid, Hafiz (January 22, 2025). "The 46 Democrats Who Voted for Republicans' Racist Immigration Bill". The New Republic. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  49. ^ "Jared Moskowitz". www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
  50. ^ a b c d e f g h Florida Division of Elections, Official Election Results
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jared Moskowitz.
Florida House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 97th district
2012–2019 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 23rd congressional district
2023–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
348th 		Succeeded by
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