50 elected officials say Jared Moskowitz is the one to succeed Ted Deutch

Jared Moskowitz’s bid for U.S. Congress is not even a week old and 50 current and former elected officials have already thrown their endorsement to the Democrat.

Currently, Moskowitz is the first and only major name to get in the congressional race to succeed Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch. The announcement that the seven-term Boca Raton Congressman would not be seeking an eighth term rocked the South Florida political world and led to a flurry of names surfacing as potential successors.

But, already, a passel of politicians — from the Broward County School Board on up to former congressmen — have decided there’s nobody better than Moskowitz to fill that spot. Currently appointed to serve on the Broward County Commission, Moskowitz made national headlines leading Florida’s Division of Emergency Management through high-profile hurricanes and the pandemic.

Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book highlighted his “F” rating from the National Rifle Association.

“Jared Moskowitz is a dedicated, battle-proven public servant whose experience over the last two decades has prepared him to represent our community in Congress,” Book said, according to a release from Moskowitz’s campaign. “After the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Jared and I worked closely on the first gun safety legislation our state had seen in more than 20 years.”

Moskowitz said he’s honored by the outpouring of support, much of it from people he has worked alongside, fighting for Democratic priorities. There’s also one Republican in the bunch too.

“I look forward to continuing that fight with their help and I appreciate their faith in my ability to advance our values in Washington,” Moskowitz said.

 Those endorsing him are:

— Former Democratic U.S. Reps. Robert Wexler and Patrick Murphy;

— State Sens. Book and Shevrin Jones, as well as former state Sen. Kevin Rader;

— State Reps. Christine Hunschofsky, Dan Daley, Anna Eskamani, Michael Gottlieb, Carlos Guillermo Smith, Democratic House Co-Leader Evan Jenne, Marie Woodson, as well as former Rep. Irv Slosberg;

— Broward County Commissioners Steve Geller and Nan Rich, both former state senators;

— Palm Beach County Mayor Robert Weinroth, Palm Beach County Commissioners Mack Bernard, Melissa McKinlay, and Maria Sachs, as well as Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts Joe Abruzzo;

— Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony and former Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish;

— Broward County School Board Members Lori Alhadeff, Debbi Hixon, Donna Korn, Sarah Leonardi, and Nora Rupert;

— Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer, Coconut Creek Mayor Becky Tooley, Davie Mayor Judy Paul, Deerfield Beach Mayor Bill Ganz, Hillsboro Beach Mayor Deborah Tarrant, Parkland Mayor Rich Walker, and Pompano Beach Mayor Rex Hardin;

— Boca Raton Council Member Andy Thomson, Coconut Creek Commissioner Joshua Rydell, Coral Springs Commissioners Joy Carter, Shawn Cerra, Nancy Metayer, and Joshua Simmons, Deerfield Beach Commissioners Michael Hudak and Bernie Parness, Margate Commissioners Tommy Ruzzano and Joanne Simone, Miami Beach Commissioner and former state Rep. David Richardson, Parkland Commissioners Ken Cutler, Jordan Isrow, Simeon Brier, and Bob Mayersohn, and Pompano Beach Commissioner Cyndy Floyd.

Eskamani said Moskowitz represents some relief from a dispiriting Legislative Session.

“This legislative session has been a constant barrage of attacks against our collective freedoms, and we need a partner like Jared at the federal level to help us fight back,” Eskamani said.

Jones called Moskowitz a “practical progressive,” according to a release from Moskowitz’s campaign.

“He’s … ready to protect voting rights, defend our democracy, and advance our agenda as a strong voice in Congress,” said Jones, whose Senate District includes parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties. “Our community needs public servants like Jared, and I absolutely support him in this race.”