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Off DSA’s Big Week in New York, Larkin Announces Miami Beach Town Hall, Renews Call for Moskowitz to Debate

Miami Beach, FL — Democratic congressional candidate Oliver Larkin announced he will hold a town hall in Miami Beach on Thursday, July 2, days after Democratic Socialists of America–backed candidates swept a slate of closely watched primaries in New York City, including unseating sitting members of Congress. Larkin, the first candidate the national DSA endorsed for federal office this election cycle, is using the moment to renew his call for incumbent Rep. Jared Moskowitz to agree to a public debate before the August 18 Democratic primary in Florida’s 25th district.

As progressives win Congressional primaries in New York this week, as well as California, New Jersey, Georgia, and Pennsylvania in recent weeks, it’s clear voters are tired of status quo politics and hungry for change. Tuesday’s results in New York, where DSA-backed candidates defeated establishment-aligned rivals, including sitting members of Congress, show that these campaigns can win support well beyond the organization’s traditional base. The victories are the latest sign of growing momentum for progressive Democrats heading into the midterms. 

“What happened in New York this week shows that people are tired of politics as usual. They want leaders who will take on the cost of living instead of making excuses for it. If your rent keeps going up, your healthcare costs more every year, and Congress keeps finding money for wars instead of our communities, it's time for different leadership,” Larkin said.
 
Larkin will headline a town hall hosted by the Miami Beach Democrats this Thursday to discuss his affordability agenda, including a $25 federal minimum wage, Medicare for All, and ending billions in spending on foreign wars to invest in housing, healthcare, and education at home.

Larkin argued that South Floridians deserve a representative focused on lowering costs at home, not escalating conflicts abroad. He pointed to Rep. Jared Moskowitz's opposition to efforts in Congress to rein in U.S. military action against Iran, his support for expanding ICE enforcement through the Republican-backed Laken Riley Act, his vote to expand LNG exports, and his decision to join the congressional DOGE Caucus as evidence that the congressman has repeatedly sided with Republican priorities while South Floridians struggle with rising housing, healthcare, and everyday costs. 

Larkin also renewed his call for Rep. Moskowitz to commit to a public debate, something Moskowitz has so far declined to do.

“South Florida voters in the new 25th district deserve the same thing voters in New York just got: a choice and a real conversation about who’s going to fight for them,” Larkin added. “With only seven weeks left until the primary, Jared Moskowitz needs to stop hiding from voters and finally agree to debate me. The question is the same as it’s been for months: will he show up?”

“Democrats just watched what happens when candidates tell people the truth instead of playing it safe,” said Zack Bofshever, Larkin’s campaign manager. “That’s the choice voters in FL-25 are going to have this August: a corporate Democrat who won’t even show up to debate, or a candidate who’s out talking to voters every single day. We’re bringing that same momentum to Miami Beach next Thursday.”