Moskowitz Faces DSA Rival Who Branded Israel ‘Supremacist Regime’
Florida Primaries 2026: A Simple Guide to Tuesday’s Big Political Battles
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What’s Happening and Why It Matters
Imagine a big family meeting where everyone argues about what the family should believe and who should speak for them. That’s basically what’s happening in the Democratic Party right now.
On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, voters in Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming went to the polls for primary elections. A primary is like a semi-final round—voters pick which candidate will represent their party in the real election (the general election) later in November.
The Big Story: A Party Divided
The Democratic Party is having a "civil war" between two teams:
| Team | What They Want | Key Players |
|---|---|---|
| The Left Wing (Progressives/DSA) | Big changes: universal healthcare, free college, abolish the Senate, strong criticism of Israel | Oliver Larkin, Elijah Manley, Bernie Sanders supporters |
| The Center-Left Establishment | Steady, pragmatic approach; strong support for Israel; work within the system | Jared Moskowitz, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Democratic Party leadership |
IMPORTANT: What is the DSA?
Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is a group that wants the government to provide basic needs like healthcare, housing, and education for everyone. They’re further left than most Democrats. Think of them as the "push for big change now" wing of the party.
The Main Event: Florida’s 25th District – Larkin vs. Moskowitz
This is the race getting the most national attention. Here’s the matchup:
The Contenders
| Oliver Larkin (Challenger) | Jared Moskowitz (Incumbent) |
|---|---|
| Age 33 | Two-term Congressman |
| DSA-endorsed | Establishment-backed |
| Worked on Bernie Sanders’ 2016 campaign | Former FL Emergency Management Director |
| Wants to abolish the U.S. Senate (calls it "undemocratic") | Strong supporter of Israel |
| Calls Israel’s government a "religious supremacist regime" | Backed by AIPAC (major pro-Israel group) |
| Supported by far-left streamer Hasan Piker | Backed by Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee |
Why This District Matters
- Florida’s 25th Congressional District = Broward County area (southeast Florida)
- It’s a "swing district" — could go either Republican or Democrat
- One of ~24 House seats that will decide if Republicans keep their razor-thin majority
- Newly redrawn after the 2020 census — used to be more Democratic, now leans Republican
ELI5: What’s an "Incumbent"?
An incumbent is someone who already has the job and is running to keep it. Moskowitz is the incumbent because he’s the current Congressman for this district.
Another Big Florida Race: Wasserman Schultz vs. Manley
Florida’s 20th District — A Crowded, Complicated Race
Debbie Wasserman Schultz — 11-term Congresswoman, former Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair (that’s the boss of the whole Democratic Party) — is fighting for her political life.
The Challengers
- Elijah Manley, 27 — Substitute teacher, overcame childhood homelessness, DSA-endorsed, backed by progressive groups
- Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick — Former Congresswoman who resigned over allegations of misusing $5M in federal funds (she denies it)
- Dale Holness — Former Broward County Mayor
- Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell — Rapper from 2 Live Crew, community activist
The Controversy
- Wasserman Schultz is white running in a majority-minority district (mostly Black and Hispanic voters)
- Black leaders criticize her: the seat has been held by Black lawmakers for 30 years
- She doesn’t even live in the district — she lives next door in the 25th District (legal, but looks bad)
The Race for Governor: Who Replaces Ron DeSantis?
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is term-limited (can’t run again). Big primary to replace him:
Republican Side (The Favorite)
| Candidate | Key Backing |
|---|---|
| Byron Donalds | Donald Trump’s endorsement |
| Jay Collins | Current Lieutenant Governor |
| Paul Renner | Former Florida House Speaker |
| James Fishback | Businessman |
ELI5: "Term-Limited"
Like a two-term limit for class president. After 8 years as Governor, DeSantis legally cannot run again.
Democratic Side (Long Shot)
- David Jolly — Former Republican Congressman who switched parties last year
- No Democrat has won Florida Governor in 30+ years (since 1994)
Florida’s Senate Race: Two Primaries, One Seat
Background
Marco Rubio left the Senate to join Trump’s administration as Secretary of State. Governor DeSantis appointed Ashley Moody (former FL Attorney General) to fill the seat temporarily. Now voters pick who finishes the term.
Republican Primary
- Ashley Moody (appointed incumbent) vs. 3 challengers
Democratic Primary
- Alex Vindman — Retired Army Lt. Col., testified in Trump’s first impeachment
- Angie Nixon — Progressive state Representative
Key Point: Democrats really want this seat — it could help them win back the Senate majority in the midterms.
Alaska and Wyoming: Other States Voting Too
Alaska — The "Jungle Primary" State
Alaska does things differently: everyone runs together, top 4 advance regardless of party.
Senate Race
- Dan Sullivan (Republican incumbent) vs. Mary Peltola (former Democratic Congresswoman) + 14 others
- Twist: Another guy named Dan Sullivan (a teacher) is on the ballot! Republicans tried to block him, saying Democrats planted him to confuse voters. He and Peltola deny it.
- Peltola recently rejected an endorsement from Kamala Harris — trying to show independence in a red state
Governor & House
- Crowded fields for both (Gov. Mike Dunleavy term-limited, Rep. Nick Begich running for re-election)
Wyoming — Deep Red State
- Harriet Hageman (Trump-backed Congresswoman) running for Senate (Sen. Cynthia Lummis retiring)
- Also primaries for Governor (Gov. Mark Gordon term-limited) and House seat (Hageman’s current seat)
California Special Election: Filling Swalwell’s Seat
- Eric Swalwell resigned 4 months ago amid sexual assault allegations (which ended his CA Governor run)
- Special election in his Bay Area district
- Both candidates are Democrats = Republicans lose a seat temporarily, their House majority gets even thinner
Why This All Matters for the Country
5 Big Takeaways
- Democratic Identity Crisis — The party is publicly fighting over what it stands for: big structural change vs. pragmatic governance
- Israel as a Litmus Test — Support for Israel has become a defining line between the two Democratic wings
- Swing Districts Decide Power — Races like FL-25 will determine if Republicans keep the House
- Trump’s Grip on GOP — His endorsement (Byron Donalds, Harriet Hageman) remains the golden ticket in Republican primaries
- Senate Map Favors GOP — But FL and AK give Democrats rare pickup opportunities
KEY CALLOUT: The $15 Million War
A Democratic establishment group just launched a $15 million campaign against DSA candidates, calling them a "mortal danger" to the party. This isn’t just disagreement — it’s open warfare.
Summary
Tuesday’s primaries in Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming showed a Democratic Party at war with itself. In Florida’s 25th District, DSA-backed Oliver Larkin challenged pro-Israel incumbent Jared Moskowitz in a swing district that could decide House control. Meanwhile, Debbie Wasserman Schultz faced a diverse field including DSA-backed Elijah Manley in a majority-minority district. On the Republican side, Trump-backed candidates dominated (Byron Donalds for FL Governor, Harriet Hageman for WY Senate). Alaska’s unique jungle primary set up a likely Sullivan vs. Peltola Senate showdown. And a California special election will shrink the GOP’s already tiny House majority. These races preview the 2026 midterms — a battle for Congress where every seat counts.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What’s a primary election?
A primary is like a team tryout. Members of each party vote to pick their champion for the general election in November. Only registered party members can usually vote in that party’s primary (rules vary by state).
What does "DSA-endorsed" mean?
The Democratic Socialists of America officially supports that candidate. It signals: "This person wants major systemic change — Medicare for All, Green New Deal, free college, and often criticizes Israel’s government."
Why does the Florida 25th District matter so much?
It’s a swing district (could go either way) in a swing state. With Republicans holding a razor-thin House majority (~5 seats), flipping just a few districts like this one could hand control to Democrats.
What’s a "jungle primary" (Alaska’s system)?
Everyone runs on one ballot — Republicans, Democrats, independents, all together. The top 4 vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party. You could have two Republicans and two Democrats in the final!
Why did Debbie Wasserman Schultz face criticism for running in the 20th District?
Two reasons: (1) She’s white running in a district that’s majority Black/Hispanic and has been represented by Black lawmakers for 30 years. (2) She doesn’t live in the district — she lives in the neighboring 25th District (legal, but critics say it shows she’s out of touch).
What happens next after these primaries?
Winners advance to the general election on November 3, 2026. That’s when all voters (not just party members) choose who actually gets the job. The midterms will decide control of the House, Senate, and governor’s mansions across the country.
Article based on Fox News reporting by Paul Steinhauser. Original content preserved with simplified explanations for clarity.