Boca Raton Mayor Announces Congressional Run Two Days After Trump Party Shout-Out

Scott Singer and U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz. (Campaign Photos)

Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer launched a run for U.S. Congress on Thursday, publicly unveiling a campaign website on the heels of national attention, including a televised shout-out from President Donald Trump earlier this week.

Singer’s campaign website launched Thursday, complete with a fundraising platform and a biography that touted his tenure as mayor in which he “balanced budgets while working to advance public safety, education, affordability, and accountability.” Singer, as of late, has come under fire by residents for his support of a controversial downtown redevelopment plan that would see a 99-year lease of public land conveyed to a development group, prompting a citizen-initiated ballot referendum that is now the subject of a court battle.

Notwithstanding any potential redistricting, Singer, a Republican, will look to unseat incumbent Democrat Jared Moskowitz in the 23rd congressional district, the vast majority of which is located in Broward County, where Democrats have historically defied state trends even in local races. The eventual GOP challenger – Singer or another candidate – would have to overcome the district’s demographic advantage favoring Democrats, which includes portions of urbanized Ft. Lauderdale. Singer’s hometown of Boca Raton, plus neighboring Highland Beach and the tiny community of Watergate, are the only Palm Beach County territories in the district and its de facto Republican stronghold, making local support a monumental factor in any general election victory.

Singer has enjoyed positive national press in recent months, however, having been featured as a guest on cable news channels to pitch Boca Raton’s business-friendly environment to New Yorkers considering a move after the election of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani as the city’s next mayor. The television appearances were capped with a billboard ad in Times Square aimed at luring northeasterners away from the chilly weather and decidedly left-leaning political environment.

Singer has also cultivated friendships in national politics, having attended President Donald Trump’s Hanukkah party Tuesday night at which he received a shout-out from Trump during his remarks to those in the room.

“Thank you, Scott,” Trump said after Singer was introduced from the podium. “It’s a great place, I love Boca.”

The Hanukkah party was being held during a city council meeting, leading some residents to ask where Singer was. No answer was given. In a now-ironic twist, Moskowitz was also in attendance at the same party.

Singer has served as Boca Raton’s mayor since 2018, and will be leaving office in March due to term limits.

“As Mayor of Boca Raton since 2018, Scott has voted consistently to lower the tax rate to ensure Boca Raton has the lowest property tax of any full-service city in Florida, while increasing investment in public safety and infrastructure,” the campaign website states. “He streamlined and cut red tape, while investing to ensure public safety and infrastructure are priorities. He will defend the U.S. Constitution and ensure unelected bureaucrats will not be able to impose their agendas on the American people.”

Singer will likely face a contested GOP primary that – at present – includes challengers such as businesswoman Raven Harrison, former State Representative George Moraitis, insurance executive Darlene Cerezo Swaffar, and perennial candidate Joe Kaufman.