Oliver Larkin, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, is running for Congress in Florida’s 25th district against two-term incumbent Jared Moskowitz in a primary election on 18 August. Larkin’s candidacy represents a significant test of whether the Democratic Socialists of America’s recent organizational successes in urban centers like New York City and Denver can expand into more moderate, diverse districts that are not traditionally progressive strongholds.
Larkin’s path to politics began after he worked as a minimum-wage line cook and became involved in Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign. He moved back to south Florida in 2022 and announced his congressional run at a protest against an immigration detention facility. His campaign emphasizes policies including universal healthcare, free college tuition, affordable housing expansion, and immigration protections. Moskowitz, by contrast, has positioned himself as a pragmatist willing to work across party lines, citing his emergency management background and willingness to collaborate with Republicans in a state where they control most government levers. The congressman has faced criticism from Larkin over his participation in President Trump’s government efficiency initiative and his vote for legislation expanding ICE detention authority.
Polling has tightened considerably over recent weeks. An early June poll showed Moskowitz leading 51% to 19%, but a more recent survey found the race in a statistical tie, though experts caution against overweighting primary polls. Larkin has raised over $1 million from nearly 20,000 individual donors while rejecting corporate contributions, compared to Moskowitz’s nearly $3 million. The district itself presents structural challenges for a democratic socialist candidate: it is majority white, relatively wealthy, and has one of the largest Jewish Democratic electorates in the country.
Political analysts offer conflicting assessments of Larkin’s viability. Some argue that while DSA-style policies poll well on specific issues—such as minimum wage increases and affordable housing—the democratic socialist label remains a liability in Florida, particularly in general elections. Others point to Florida’s surprising progressive voting history on ballot measures and note that majority-Latino support exists for ending ICE operations. The race has become a proxy battle over what type of Democrat can succeed in a state reshaped by Republican redistricting, with implications for how both major parties approach Florida politics moving forward.
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