House Republicans target Jared Moskowitz, Darren Soto constituents with ad blaming Democrats for shutdown

House Republicans want voters in two Florida battleground districts to hold their U.S. Representatives responsible for the government shutdown^[1].

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC^[2]) announced a digital ad buy reaching constituents for Reps. Jared Moskowitz, a Parkland Democrat, and Darren Soto, a Kissimmee Democrat.

A 30-second video^[3] attacks Congressional Democrats as a caucus.

“Democrats refuse to fund the government,” a narrator says over images of Washington monuments in darkness. Clips also run of federal workers, including Border Patrol agents.

“So now military troops, police, and Border Patrol lose their paychecks. Because of Democrats, veterans, farmers, and small businesses lose critical funding,” the narrator continues. “Disaster relief cut off. Democrats are grinding America to a halt in order to give illegal immigrants free health care.”

The ad is part of a national ad buy in competitive districts, and both Soto and Moskowitz serve in Democrat-held seats the NRCC believes can turn red^[4] in the 2026 Midterms.

Officials with the political arm of House Republicans see the Florida Democrats as particularly vulnerable for their vote against funding the government because of the Sunshine State’s keen interest in disaster relief funding.

“Jared Moskowitz and Darren Soto’s vote that shut down the government isn’t just a cowardly partisan move; it’s a flat-out dangerous situation for their own constituents,” said Maureen O’Toole, NRCC spokesperson. “Floridians deserve a representative who serves them, not threatens them.”

Of note, Democrats also put out messaging^[5] attacking at-risk Republicans, including in the Sunshine State. And the Democratic National Committee dismissed attempts to blame Democrats for the shutdown when Republican Donald Trump is President and Republicans enjoy majorities in both the House and Senate.

“Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House. If they wanted to, they could work to keep the government open. But they don’t,” said Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee Chair, in a statement^[6].

But the NRCC said voters in Soto’s and Moskowitz’s district will likely see things differently.

“Out of touch Democrat Jared Moskowitz voted to crush small businesses and stall our economy, proving again Democrats can’t be trusted with taxpayers’ money,” O’Toole said.

“Out of touch Democrat Darren Soto is completely controlled by the radical left. Instead of standing up for Florida, he is siding with his radical base and driving our country straight into a shutdown.”