Bryan Leib won’t run this year in CD 25

Republican Bryan Leib will sit out a race against U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Parkland Democrat.

The Hollywood Republican, a media consultant who previously challenged U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, considered waging a run against the Democratic incumbent, who was made more vulnerable under a new congressional map.

But he said this isn’t the time.

“After a great deal of prayer, and conversations with friends, donors, community leaders, elected officials, and supporters across South Florida, I have decided not to run for Congress in Florida’s 25th Congressional District in this cycle. I am incredibly grateful for the overwhelming encouragement and support I received,” Leib said.

“Instead of running, I will be dedicating my time and energy to helping keep Florida the greatest state in America.”

Leib announced he plans to help U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds’ gubernatorial campaign. Donalds notably endorsed Leib’s last run for Congress in 2024. Leib has now issued his “full and total endorsement of Byron Donalds for Governor — and Erika Donalds as our next First Lady!”

“Byron Donalds is a proven conservative leader, a fighter, and someone who understands exactly why Florida has become the model for the rest of the nation,” Leib said. “He will protect our freedoms, strengthen our economy, defend our communities, and keep Florida moving forward.”

Leib is the co-founder of Henry Public Relations, a firm with a number of political clients focused on earning conservative media attention.

Running in CD 25 would have meant entering an already crowded GOP field. Republicans, including former banking professional Dan Franzese, former state Rep. George Moraitis and former Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer have already qualified to run in a Primary, and several other Republicans have been raising money for a potential campaign in the district.

Moskowitz also said he will seek a third term in Congress, though the district where he won election twice was effectively dismantled under the new map.

In the newly drawn CD 25, about 54% of voters supported Republican Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, though in 2020, 52% of voters there supported Democrat Joe Biden over Trump.