Three Democrats in Florida beat a Republican map drawn to favor the GOP, dealing Republicans an embarrassing election night blow.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) and Democrat Pia Dandiya won their House races Tuesday, NBC News projected, overcoming a mid-decade redistricting push by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican legislators. Decision Desk HQ also projected Moskowitz’s win.
Moskowitz defeated Trump-backed former Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer in the redrawn 25th District, winning about 51.5% of the vote with more than 95% counted. Dandiya beat Republican Casey Askar in the 22nd District with about 52% of the vote. Castor, who has represented the Tampa area since 2007, defeated Trump-backed Republican Mike Beltran with about 51% of the vote.
DeSantis signed the new map in May, amid a national redistricting push encouraged by President Donald Trump. The lines were expected to give Republicans up to four more of Florida’s 28 House seats, leaving just four districts that Kamala Harris carried in 2024. Moskowitz and three other Democratic incumbents saw their districts shift toward the GOP, and opponents sued, arguing the map violated Florida’s Fair Districts Amendment. The state Supreme Court allowed it to stand for this year’s elections.
After his old 23rd District was moved north into Palm Beach County, Moskowitz switched to the new 25th District, a coastal seat Trump won by 9 points in 2024. Dandiya ran for the open 22nd District after Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL) moved to a neighboring seat. The redrawn district stretches from Broward County toward Naples, and Cook Political Report rated it “lean Republican” over the summer.