Ryan NicolFormer Rep. Jared Moskowitz has decided against a run for the now-open seat in Senate District 29, choosing instead to remain at his current job leading the Division of Emergency Management (DEM).
Moskowitz says he is “laser-focused” on that role as hurricane season approaches.
Moskowitz formerly held the House District 97 seat, which neighbors Parkland. That community is covered by SD 29 and was the site of the 2018 attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in which 17 people were killed.
After Ron DeSantis won the 2018 gubernatorial contest, he reached across the aisle to tap Moskowitz — a Democrat — as DEM’s Executive Director.
His experience running that agency during the COVID-19 crisis — as well as his time serving communities nearby Parkland — could have made Moskowitz a formidable contender in the contest.
Instead, Moskowitz joins former Sen. Joe Abruzzo and Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay in passing up a run for the seat.
The race opened after Sen. Kevin Rader announced Tuesday he would step aside after just one term in the Senate.
So far, Rep. Tina Polsky and former Rep. Irv Slosberg have said they would pursue the seat. Polsky’s decision also leaves open the House District 81 seat, which has begun to attract contenders as well.
While SD 29 covers Parkland, it mostly spans Palm Beach County covering communities such as South Bay, Belle Glade and Wellington.
Qualifying week for House races runs June 8-12, leaving potential candidates just weeks to decide whether to mount a bid.
