Jared Moskowitz Bio
Jared Evan Moskowitz (born December 18, 1980) is an American politician and attorney serving as the U.S. representative for Florida’s 23rd congressional district since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he represents an area covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. Before his time in Congress, Moskowitz built a varied career in public service, including work in state emergency management and the Florida legislature.
Born and raised in South Florida, Moskowitz began his career in politics at a young age, working as an intern in Washington, D.C., before eventually returning home to serve his community. He is known for his centrist voting record and for working with members of both major parties on legislation related to school safety, foreign affairs, and emergency preparedness.
Early Life and Background
Jared Evan Moskowitz was born on December 18, 1980, in Coral Springs, Florida. He grew up in the same community he would later represent, developing an early understanding of local issues. His father, Michael, was an attorney, philanthropist, and a prominent Democratic fundraiser who influenced Jared’s interest in public service and political organizing from a young age.
Moskowitz attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where he graduated before moving on to higher education. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from George Washington University in 2003, an experience that placed him in the heart of the nation’s capital during a formative political era. Following his undergraduate studies, he went on to attend the Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 2007 and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2008.
Path to US Politics
Moskowitz began his political career as an intern for Vice President Al Gore, an experience that introduced him to national-level political operations. He later served as an assistant on Joe Lieberman’s 2004 presidential campaign and, in 2008, was a Florida delegate pledged to Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention. These early roles gave him a practical foundation in campaign work and policy research.
While still attending law school, Moskowitz was elected to the Parkland City Commission in 2006 and was reelected in 2010. As a city commissioner, he supported programs that subsidized low-flow toilets, energy-efficient air conditioners, and hybrid cars, reflecting an early interest in environmental policy. He resigned from the commission in 2012 to run for the Florida House of Representatives. After law school, he also worked as director of government relations and general counsel for AshBritt Environmental, a disaster recovery company, broadening his experience in emergency response and government affairs.
Jared Moskowitz Career
Early Career (2006–2011)
Moskowitz’s first significant political role came in 2006, when he was elected to the Parkland City Commission while still a law student. He served on the commission for nearly six years, winning reelection in 2010 and focusing on environmental initiatives and municipal efficiency. His time in local government provided hands-on experience in budgeting, constituent services, and small-scale legislative work.
During the same period, he built his legal credentials, earning his law degree in 2007 and passing the Florida Bar in 2008. He also began his private-sector work with AshBritt Environmental, where he managed government relations and legal matters related to disaster recovery. These combined experiences prepared him for a transition to state-level office in 2012.
Florida House of Representatives Breakthrough (2012–2019)
Following the 2012 redistricting, Moskowitz ran for the newly drawn 97th house district in northern Broward County. He won the Democratic primary unopposed and defeated Republican nominee James Gleason in the general election with 69 percent of the vote. During his first term, he sponsored a legislative memorial calling on Congress and the State Department to work for the release of Robert Levinson, a hostage held in Iran since 2007. The memorial passed both chambers and was signed by Governor Rick Scott.
Moskowitz was reelected in 2014 and 2016 without opposition, demonstrating broad support in his district. In 2018, after the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, his alma mater, he helped draft the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. The bipartisan bill tightened gun control measures, expanded school security, and improved mental health services for students across Florida.
Division of Emergency Management Era (2019–2021)
In December 2018, Governor-elect Ron DeSantis appointed Moskowitz as director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. He took office in January 2019 as the state was still recovering from Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 storm that caused widespread damage. As director, he managed Florida’s response to multiple crises, including two hurricane seasons and the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing the distribution of personal protective equipment, vaccines, and testing supplies.
During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Moskowitz publicly criticized 3M for diverting millions of N95 masks intended for Florida to foreign buyers offering higher prices. He also disputed a 60 Minutes report suggesting that Governor DeSantis had engaged in a pay-to-play scheme with Publix regarding vaccine distribution. In April 2021, Moskowitz stepped down from the role to spend more time with his family, earning praise from Governor DeSantis for his handling of the state’s hurricane and pandemic logistics.
Broward County Commission and Congressional Era (2022–Present)
In January 2022, Governor DeSantis appointed Moskowitz to the Broward County Commission, filling a vacancy left by the resignation of Barbara Sharief. He served on the commission through November 2022 while simultaneously running for the U.S. House of Representatives. He secured the Democratic nomination for Florida’s 23rd congressional district with 61.1 percent of the vote and went on to win the general election against Republican Joe Budd with 51.6 percent.
Moskowitz was sworn into Congress on January 7, 2023. During the 118th Congress, he served on the Foreign Affairs and Oversight and Accountability committees. In 2024, he was reelected with 52.3 percent of the vote against Republican Joe Kaufman, and he was later named to a bipartisan task force investigating the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. He has continued to focus on foreign policy, emergency management reform, and bipartisan school safety legislation, including reintroducing the EAGLES Act with Republican Representative Mario Díaz-Balart.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most defining moments of Moskowitz’s career came in 2018, when he helped craft the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act in the wake of the Parkland shooting. His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic response also brought him national attention, particularly his criticism of supply chain issues affecting protective equipment. In 2024, following his reelection, authorities arrested a suspect near his home in connection with a potential assassination plot, an incident that underscored the personal risks faced by members of Congress.
Jared Moskowitz Career Wins
Jared Moskowitz has compiled a strong record of electoral victories across local, state, and federal offices. From his early wins on the Parkland City Commission to his current role in the U.S. House of Representatives, he has consistently earned the support of voters in South Florida.
U.S. House of Representatives Highlights
Moskowitz first won Florida’s 23rd congressional district in 2022, defeating Republican Joe Budd with 51.6 percent of the vote. He was reelected in 2024, this time defeating Republican Joe Kaufman with 52.3 percent of the vote. These victories have given him a stable platform to continue his work on foreign affairs and government oversight.
Other Wins and Achievements
Beyond his federal victories, Moskowitz won election to the Parkland City Commission in 2006 and was reelected in 2010. He also won his Florida House of Representatives seat in 2012 with 69 percent of the vote and was reelected without opposition in both 2014 and 2016. His cumulative electoral experience spans more than 15 years of continuous public service.
Jared Moskowitz Family
Family Background and Political Lineage
Moskowitz was raised in Coral Springs, Florida, by his father, Michael, an attorney, philanthropist, and prominent Democratic fundraiser. His father’s involvement in Democratic politics and charitable work helped shape Moskowitz’s early interest in public service and community engagement.
Personal Life
Moskowitz is married to Leah Rifkin, and the couple has two children. The family lives in Coral Springs, the same city where Jared was born and raised. He is Jewish, and his faith has been a visible part of his political identity, particularly in his advocacy regarding Israel and his criticism of antisemitism on college campuses.