The soon-to-be contentious Republican congressional primary race in Florida's newly-drawn 25th congressional district just got a little spicier as businessman Dan Franzese has jumped into the race, and his latest internal poll shows that he is already within striking distance of the established field of candidates.
According to a McLaughlin and Associates public opinion poll of 300 likely voters who will participate in the upcoming August 18 primary election, Franzese is polling fourth with 9 percent support from Republican voters.
Right now, it appears as if City of Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer leads the field with 16% support, followed by former State Rep. George Moraitis with 13%, and Joe Kaufman with 6% support of those surveyed.
With Franzese on the ballot, Moraitis favorability leaps over Singer by 1%, and Kaufman climbs to 11%, while Franzese debuts at 9% support.
This poll could be telling a bigger story.
Who is better positioned to defeat incumbent Rep. Jared Moskowitz, who is expected to announce his reelection in the coming week?
As is the case in every congressional election, money matters.
Franzese has raised $438,419.40 for his congressional run. Moraitis sits on $ 698,355.25, Kaufman has raised $482,037.21, while Mayor Singer leads with $1,347,715.25 raised.
Franzese, who ran for congress against Rep. Lois Frankel during the 2024 presidential election, could have an advantage considering that voters in parts of the new district know him because of the recent redistricting of the congressional lines.
Regardless of who has raised the most, or who is polling higher, this primary race is wide open.
