Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer launches bid for Congress, challenging US Rep. Jared Moskowitz
By Sergio R. Bustos, Wilkine Brutus
December 18, 2025 at 12:21 PM EST
Three-term Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer officially announced on Thursday his candidacy as a Republican for Florida’s 23rd Congressional District, a seat currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz.
In an Instagram post, Singer, a business attorney who has led Boca Raton since 2018, said he wants to bring "America First" conservative principles to Washington. He said flipping the 23rd district — which includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties— is key to keeping Republicans in command of the U.S. House.
"It’s official: I’m running for Congress in FL’s 23rd district," Singer announced via social media. "As an America First conservative, I know this seat is critical to win a GOP House majority in November 2026."
During his tenure as mayor, Singer has focused on fiscal responsibility and public safety, frequently citing the city's low property tax rate as a hallmark of his administration.
"As a three term Mayor, I fought to keep taxes and crime low and delivered results to provide a safe and thriving place to live and work," Singer stated. "I’m running for Congress to build on President Trump’s success to secure our borders, defend our nation, cut waste, and bring taxes and costs down for all Americans."
The 23rd district has historically been a competitive battleground in South Florida and is one of two seats statewide being eyed on national Republicans, who see Moskowitz as a vulnerable Democrat. The other is U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Orlando.
Last summer, the America First Policy Institute announced the launch of the America First Mayors’ Council, and named Singer as its chair.
Singer is aligning his campaign with President Trump’s “America First” message, focusing on lower taxes, border security, and national defense, while highlighting his local record of cutting what he calls harmful red tape for businesses and boosting infrastructure spending and public safety.
READ MORE: Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer launches bid for Congress, challenging US Rep. Jared Moskowitz
Singer points to his response after the 2021 Surfside condo collapse, when he pushed Boca to adopt stricter recertification rules than even Miami-Dade's 40-year standard, which aimed to prevent any repeats and keep residents safer in those beachfront high-rises.
Singer has used some of these local policy decisions as momentum for a much larger platform.
He has drawn national attention, criticizing New York socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s win and predicting that businesses will flee New York for Florida cities like Boca Raton — all part of Singer's marketing effort, using tax-paying dollars, to attract long-term businesses to the area.
He was particularly critical of Mamdani’s tax proposals targeting millionaires and corporations to help pay for New York City's social programs such as free buses, universal childcare, and government-owned grocery stores.
“I expect more executives to be moving companies here,” Singer previously told WLRN. “If they can, they will.”
His effort to attract more people to Boca Raton to “boost economic activity” has also faced public criticism — an issue he will need to address as he runs for higher office.
Singer is tied to controversial downtown redevelopment plans, including turning over 31 acres of public land to developers, drawing backlash over lost green space and increased density.
Residents are pushing back with petitions and ballot threats, calling it a sellout, while Singer defends the plan as smart growth that boosts revenue and amenities.
Despite the current controversy, Singer has built a profile as national critic, city leader, and development lightning rod as he eyes a congressional seat.
The Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried is confident Moskowitz can fend off any challenge to his congressional seat.
" Jared Moskowitz has done a remarkable job for his constituents," she said. "He has gone to Washington and has fought for the issues and the needs of his people."
"So I don't care who the Republicans put up against Jared," she said. "Jared understands his district. He understands his constituents, has served them not just as their member of Congress."
Moskowitz has been elected as a Parkland City commissioner, a Broward County commissioner and state House representative in the Florida Legislature.
"We are not worried," she said. "Jared is an extremely strong member of the congressional delegation who has made a national reputation for himself of not taking the BS from MAGA, and standing up for the people of his community and for the state."
WLRN Broward County reporter Carlton Gillespie contributed to this story.
In an Instagram post, Singer, a business attorney who has led Boca Raton since 2018, said he wants to bring "America First" conservative principles to Washington. He said flipping the 23rd district — which includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties— is key to keeping Republicans in command of the U.S. House.
"It’s official: I’m running for Congress in FL’s 23rd district," Singer announced via social media. "As an America First conservative, I know this seat is critical to win a GOP House majority in November 2026."
During his tenure as mayor, Singer has focused on fiscal responsibility and public safety, frequently citing the city's low property tax rate as a hallmark of his administration.
"As a three term Mayor, I fought to keep taxes and crime low and delivered results to provide a safe and thriving place to live and work," Singer stated. "I’m running for Congress to build on President Trump’s success to secure our borders, defend our nation, cut waste, and bring taxes and costs down for all Americans."
The 23rd district has historically been a competitive battleground in South Florida and is one of two seats statewide being eyed on national Republicans, who see Moskowitz as a vulnerable Democrat. The other is U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Orlando.
Last summer, the America First Policy Institute announced the launch of the America First Mayors’ Council, and named Singer as its chair.
Singer is aligning his campaign with President Trump’s “America First” message, focusing on lower taxes, border security, and national defense, while highlighting his local record of cutting what he calls harmful red tape for businesses and boosting infrastructure spending and public safety.
READ MORE: Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer launches bid for Congress, challenging US Rep. Jared Moskowitz
Singer points to his response after the 2021 Surfside condo collapse, when he pushed Boca to adopt stricter recertification rules than even Miami-Dade's 40-year standard, which aimed to prevent any repeats and keep residents safer in those beachfront high-rises.
Singer has used some of these local policy decisions as momentum for a much larger platform.
He has drawn national attention, criticizing New York socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s win and predicting that businesses will flee New York for Florida cities like Boca Raton — all part of Singer's marketing effort, using tax-paying dollars, to attract long-term businesses to the area.
He was particularly critical of Mamdani’s tax proposals targeting millionaires and corporations to help pay for New York City's social programs such as free buses, universal childcare, and government-owned grocery stores.
“I expect more executives to be moving companies here,” Singer previously told WLRN. “If they can, they will.”
His effort to attract more people to Boca Raton to “boost economic activity” has also faced public criticism — an issue he will need to address as he runs for higher office.
Singer is tied to controversial downtown redevelopment plans, including turning over 31 acres of public land to developers, drawing backlash over lost green space and increased density.
Residents are pushing back with petitions and ballot threats, calling it a sellout, while Singer defends the plan as smart growth that boosts revenue and amenities.
Despite the current controversy, Singer has built a profile as national critic, city leader, and development lightning rod as he eyes a congressional seat.
The Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried is confident Moskowitz can fend off any challenge to his congressional seat.
" Jared Moskowitz has done a remarkable job for his constituents," she said. "He has gone to Washington and has fought for the issues and the needs of his people."
"So I don't care who the Republicans put up against Jared," she said. "Jared understands his district. He understands his constituents, has served them not just as their member of Congress."
Moskowitz has been elected as a Parkland City commissioner, a Broward County commissioner and state House representative in the Florida Legislature.
"We are not worried," she said. "Jared is an extremely strong member of the congressional delegation who has made a national reputation for himself of not taking the BS from MAGA, and standing up for the people of his community and for the state."
WLRN Broward County reporter Carlton Gillespie contributed to this story.