Moskowitz Faces DSA Challenger Who Branded Israel ‘Supremacist Regime’
Tuesday Primaries Show Democratic Party’s Internal Struggle in Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming
What Happened on Primary Day?
Voters in Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming went to the polls Tuesday to pick their parties’ candidates for the November midterm elections. These primaries are like the "semi-finals" before the big "finals" in November.
The biggest story? A civil war inside the Democratic Party in Florida. On one side: progressive/left-wing candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). On the other: moderate, establishment Democrats who currently hold office.
The Big Picture: A Party Divided
Think of the Democratic Party like a big tent. Lately, two groups are arguing over which direction the tent should face:
| The Left Wing (Progressives/DSA) | The Center-Left Establishment |
|---|---|
| Want big changes: Medicare for All, Green New Deal, abolish the Senate | Prefer gradual, pragmatic changes |
| Critical of Israel’s government | Strong supporters of Israel |
| Backed by grassroots activists, younger voters | Backed by party leadership, big donors, groups like AIPAC |
| Recent wins: Abdul El-Sayed (MI), Peggy Flanagan (MN) | Recent win: Defeated Francesca Hong (WI) |
IMPORTANT POINT: This isn’t just about Florida. The outcomes here could decide which party controls the U.S. House and Senate after November. Republicans currently have a razor-thin majority in the House—only about two dozen seats will decide control.
Florida: Ground Zero for the Democratic Civil War
1. The Most Watched Race: FL-25 (Broward County)
Oliver Larkin (DSA-backed) vs. Rep. Jared Moskowitz (Incumbent, Moderate)
| Oliver Larkin, 33 | Jared Moskowitz, Two-term Incumbent |
|---|---|
| • Bernie Sanders 2016 campaign veteran | • Former FL Emergency Management Director |
| • Wants to abolish the U.S. Senate ("undemocratic") | • Strong supporter of Israel |
| • Calls Israel’s gov’t a "religious supremacist regime" | • Backed by DCCC (party establishment) and AIPAC (pro-Israel group) |
| • Endorsed by Hasan Piker (popular left-wing streamer) | • Running in a swing district that leans slightly Republican |
Why it matters: This is the only DSA-endorsed candidate in a competitive swing district nationwide. If Larkin wins, it signals a major leftward shift. If Moskowitz wins, the establishment holds the line.
2. FL-20: Debbie Wasserman Schultz Fighting for Survival
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (11 terms, former DNC Chair) vs. Elijah Manley (DSA-backed, 27, former homeless youth) + crowded field
Other notable candidates:
- Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (former Rep., resigned over $5M misuse allegations—she denies)
- Dale Holness (former Broward Mayor)
- Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell (rapper, 2 Live Crew)
Controversy: Wasserman Schultz is white running in a majority-Black district represented by Black lawmakers for 30 years. Black leaders have criticized this.
Manley’s backing: Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC), other left groups.
3. Governor Race: Who Succeeds Ron DeSantis?
Republican Primary (Trump-backed favorite):
- Byron Donalds (Rep.) — Endorsed by Donald Trump
- Jay Collins (Lt. Governor)
- Paul Renner (former FL House Speaker)
- James Fishback (businessman)
Democratic Primary:
- David Jolly (former GOP Rep. turned Dem) — best-known Dem candidate
- Note: No Democrat has won FL Governor in 30+ years.
4. Senate Special Election: Filling Marco Rubio’s Seat
Background: Rubio left to join Trump admin → Gov. DeSantis appointed Ashley Moody (former AG) as Senator.
Republican Primary: Moody vs. 3 challengers
Democratic Primary: Alex Vindman (retired Lt. Col., Trump impeachment witness) vs. Angie Nixon (progressive state Rep.)
Stakes: Dems hope to flip this seat in November to regain Senate majority.
Alaska: Unique "Top-Four" System & A Name Game
Senate Race: Dan Sullivan (R) vs. Mary Peltola (D)
- 16 candidates total in "all-party primary"
- Top 4 advance to November, regardless of party
- Mary Peltola (former Rep., Democrat) is the main challenger
- Weird twist: Another Dan Sullivan (former teacher) is on the ballot. GOP tried to block him, claiming Dems recruited him to confuse voters. Both deny it.
Other Alaska Races:
- Governor: Mike Dunleavy (R) term-limited → crowded field
- House: Nick Begich (R) seeking re-election
IMPORTANT POINT: Peltola recently distanced herself from Kamala Harris’s endorsement—showing how tricky national politics are for Dems in red states.
Wyoming: Deep Red, But Still a Primary
- Senate: Harriet Hageman (Rep., Trump-backed) running for Cynthia Lummis’s seat
- Governor: Mark Gordon (R) term-limited → primary underway
- House: Hageman’s at-large seat open → primary to replace her
Wyoming is solidly Republican; the primary effectively decides the winner.
California Bonus: Special Election in Eric Swalwell’s Old Seat
- Swalwell resigned 4 months ago (sexual assault allegations—sank his CA Gov bid)
- Both candidates are Democrats → GOP’s tiny House majority shrinks further regardless
Why This All Matters: 5 Key Takeaways
- House Control Hinges on ~24 Seats — FL-25 is one of them
- Democrats Are Fighting Themselves — Left vs. Center in multiple FL districts
- Israel Policy Is a Litmus Test — Divides Larkin/Manley from Moskowitz/Wasserman Schultz
- Trump’s Endorsement Still Rules GOP Primaries — See Byron Donalds, Harriet Hageman
- Senate Map Is Brutal for Dems — They need FL, AK, and more to win majority
Summary
Tuesday’s primaries in Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming revealed a Democratic Party at war with itself. In Florida’s 25th District, DSA-backed Oliver Larkin challenges moderate incumbent Jared Moskowitz in a must-win swing seat. In the 20th District, Debbie Wasserman Schultz faces Elijah Manley and a crowded field amid racial representation concerns.
Meanwhile, Republicans are largely united behind Trump-endorsed candidates (Byron Donalds for FL Gov, Harriet Hageman for WY Senate). Alaska’s unique "top-four" system creates a bizarre Senate ballot with two Dan Sullivans, while Mary Peltola tries to hold a Dem seat in red territory.
Bottom line: These primaries set the stage for November’s battle for Congress. The Democratic Party’s soul—and its chances to retake the Senate or hold the House—are on the ballot.
FAQ
1. What is a primary election?
A primary is like a team tryout. Each party (Democrats, Republicans) holds its own election to pick one candidate to represent them in the general election (the "finals" in November).
2. What is the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America)?
A left-wing activist group inside the Democratic Party. They push for policies like Medicare for All, free college, and a Green New Deal. They endorse candidates who agree with their platform.
3. What’s a "swing district"?
A congressional district where voters are evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. These seats flip back and forth and decide which party controls the House.
4. Why does Alaska have 16 candidates on one ballot?
Alaska uses a "top-four nonpartisan primary." Everyone runs on the same ballot regardless of party. The top 4 vote-getters advance to November, where ranked-choice voting decides the winner.
5. What happens if both candidates in a general election are from the same party?
That can happen in places like California (top-two primary) or special elections. The party still wins the seat, but voters get a choice between different wings of that party. In CA-14 (Swalwell’s old seat), two Democrats face off—so the seat stays blue.