Democratic U.S. Representative Jared Moskowitz, who is best known for off-the-cuff statements like “Dead children can’t read books,” has railed against MAGA over his stance on book bans and guns. Although he condemns it, he is proposing bipartisan legislation.
Joseph “Joe” Kaufman, a two-time Republican candidate for this Congressional seat, is hoping that running for a third time is appealing and can deny freshman Moskowitz his first re-election to Congress. Moskowitz, a Parkland lawyer who began his political career at age 25, replaced U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch in 2022.
What’s the problem?
Florida’s 23rd Congressional District: straddles Broward and Palm Beach counties, stretching from Boca Raton to Fort Lauderdale and including parts of Coral Springs, Margate, Parkland, and Pompano Beach.
Jared Moskowitz
Age and residence: Moskowitz, 43, of Parkland. Current job: U.S. Congressman. Professional experience: Attorney, former director of the Florida Department of Emergency Management. Manager of consulting firm MOD, LLC. General Counsel of AshBritt, Inc. Top campaign priorities: Preserving democracy, reducing gun violence, controlling insurance costs by nationalizing catastrophic risks similar to the way the National Flood Insurance Plan covers flood risks, and federal reproductive rights legislation. Codifying, Protecting Social Security and Medicare Political Background: When Moskowitz first ran for Congress, he was appointed governor of the Broward County Commission. Prior to that, he served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2012 to 2019, but resigned after being appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to head the Florida Office of Emergency Management. His first election was to the Parkland City Commission in 2006, where he served until resigning in 2012 to run for the Florida Legislature. Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science from George Washington University and law degree from Nova Southeastern University. Supporters: AFL-CIO, SEIU, Everytown Against Gun Violence, Alliance for Retired Americans, Equality Florida, and many other organizations, local elected officials, and national leaders. Funding: Total donations are $1.95 million (as of September 30). Candidates have not made any donations. financed his campaign.
Joseph ‘Joe’ Kaufman
Age and location: Kaufman, 54, Fort Lauderdale resident Campaign priorities: End inflation, secure borders, bring jobs and federal funding back to the district, protect senior benefits, protect Israel, protect schools Expanding Choices, High School Vocational Training, Current Position: Chairman and CEO of the Kaufman Security Initiative, Sillman Fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center, Counterterrorism Writer/Researcher/Lecturer. Professional background: Special Assistant to the Chief Counsel at Klayman Law Offices. Political background: Republican candidate to represent the district currently known as Florida’s 23rd Congressional District in 2016 and 2018. Education: Bachelor’s degree in speech communication from the University of Maryland, College Park. Endorsed by: Republican Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott. former Border Patrol Commissioner Tom Homan; Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. Rev. Mary Turner, host of the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast. Jewish education leader Dr. Alan Jacob. Ernest Ackerman, president of the Independent Venezuelan American Citizens Association; Niger Inniss, National Spokesperson for the Congress of Racial Equality. Retired Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely, FOX News Contributor Funding: Kaufman has raised nearly $110,000. Candidates do not lend to their campaigns.
Ann Geggis is an insurance reporter for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. Contact ageggis@gannett.com. Please support our journalism. Subscribe now.
