Joe Kaufman, a Republican congressional candidate, has announced he will run in Florida's newly drawn 25th District in the 2026 election cycle. The announcement sets up a potential high-profile matchup against one of two long-serving Democratic incumbents: Rep. Jared Moskowitz or Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, both of whom are weighing whether to seek office in the same district following recent redistricting.
Kaufman is no stranger to competitive races in South Florida's historically Democratic districts. In 2024, he ran against Moskowitz in the 23rd District and nearly prevailed, losing by a narrow margin in what was the closest congressional race in all of Florida that cycle. The state has now completed its redistricting process, creating new district boundaries that Kaufman believes work more favorably for Republican candidates.
What the Left Is Saying
Moskowitz, a two-term Democrat who has cultivated a moderate profile in Congress, said Monday he would run in the 25th District if he seeks another term. The congressman has built his reputation on bipartisan legislation and constituent services, positioning himself as a pragmatist willing to work across the aisle.
Wasserman Schultz, meanwhile, is considering whether to move into the same district. If she runs, it would mark her bid for a 12th term in Congress. The longtime incumbent has been active on healthcare and women's issues during her tenure.
Democrats are likely to emphasize their legislative accomplishments and constituent casework. Moskowitz has pointed to his work on insurance relief following hurricanes and his role in passing bipartisan public safety measures. The party may also focus on protecting the Affordable Care Act, which Kaufman has specifically criticized as costly and ineffective. Democratic strategists note that the party of the incumbent president historically loses seats in midterm elections, a pattern they may seek to mitigate through early voter engagement and message discipline.
What the Right Is Saying
Kaufman told Fox News Digital he expects victory despite what he acknowledged are headwinds facing Republicans nationally. "Yes, we had 48% of the vote," he said. "It was the closest race in all of Florida and the highest percentage of any Republican to ever run for that seat. But back then, I got in very late in the game and this time around our numbers are much better, and we've been able to form those coalitions that we needed to last time."
The candidate has staked out distinct positions on several issues. He supports adding vocational training programs to high schools nationwide as a pathway for young people to gain employment skills. On foreign policy, Kaufman bills himself as a "terrorist hunter" with credentials in counter-terrorism research and says he helped shut down a pro-Hamas conference in Coral Springs. He is opposed to deploying U.S. ground troops in Iran but said third parties should be given "the green light" if military action becomes necessary.
Regarding the national political environment, Kaufman expressed optimism about economic conditions under President Trump while attributing current inflation challenges to policies enacted during the prior administration. "I think we're going to end up with low inflation, better affordability and very soon an end to the war," he said.
What the Numbers Show
The 2024 election results provide key context for understanding the upcoming race. Kaufman received approximately 48% of the vote in his contest against Moskowitz, making him the most successful Republican candidate for that seat in district history. The margin of defeat was narrow enough that Republicans view the district as competitive under new boundaries.
Florida's redistricting process, which concluded recently, created new electoral maps that will determine which incumbents face each other or run in different districts. Both Moskowitz and Wasserman Schultz must decide whether to seek office in the 25th District or find alternative paths to Congress.
Historically, the president's party loses congressional seats in midterm elections in approximately 80% of cases since World War II. Republicans enter 2026 facing this statistical headwind while Democrats hope to capitalize on voter dissatisfaction with economic conditions and foreign policy entanglements.
The Bottom Line
The 25th District race remains fluid as potential candidates finalize their decisions. Moskowitz has confirmed his intention to run in the district if he seeks another term, while Wasserman Schultz is still weighing her options. Kaufman's entry ensures a competitive race regardless of which Democrat ultimately becomes his opponent.
For Kaufman, the 2026 election represents both a redemption opportunity and a test of whether Republicans can translate near-victories into wins under new district maps. His campaign will focus on economic messaging and his national security credentials while navigating the broader challenges facing the president's party in midterm elections.
Voters in southern Florida should watch for official candidate filings and primary dates as the election cycle progresses.