Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., faces criticism from Rep. Randy Fine, the only Jewish Republican in Florida’s Congress. Tlaib is backing candidates against two fellow House Democrats. A rally in Fort Lauderdale features Tlaib supporting candidates who aim to challenge Reps. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla.
According to a flyer on Instagram, left-wing groups are hosting the event. Fine commented to Fox News Digital, stating he believes Tlaib’s presence is intentional, targeting remaining Jewish Democrats. He expressed doubt about her reception in Florida, calling the Democrats’ strategy misguided.
“How it’s received in a Democratic primary — look, the Democrats are lost. But I’m going to hope that Florida Democrats are smarter than national Democrats because the Jew hatred side of the Democratic Party is not good for America,” Fine remarked.
Tlaib has been influential among the far-left during this election cycle. Candidates with connections to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have been gaining traction in national elections. Critics argue that some DSA-linked candidates have expressed views critical of Israel, which they believe verge on antisemitism. They also claim these candidates show sympathy for groups like Hamas.
As the first Palestinian American woman in Congress, Tlaib has faced criticism from both sides of the political aisle for comments on Israel and Jewish people. She denies accusations of antisemitism.
Fine labeled Tlaib as a “vocal supporter of Hamas,” stating that the far left creates discomfort for Jews in the U.S. He detailed the potential dangers of the Democratic Party’s direction. “I don’t know that it’s lost and dangerous in Fort Lauderdale or Florida, but nationally, the kinds of people that the Democrats are nominating, these are people who do not love America,” Fine said.
DSA-linked candidates succeeded in unseating Democrats in New York, Colorado, and Michigan. In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed defeated establishment-backed Rep. Haley Stevens for the Senate nomination. Tlaib supported El-Sayed and other DSA candidates across the country.
The rally, named Chomp the Oligarchy, is organized by progressive groups like Gen Z For Change and the Florida Youth Justice Coalition. Campaigns for Moskowitz and Wasserman Schultz did not comment on Tlaib’s involvement. Tlaib and her Democrats fear Fine’s remarks reflect anti-Muslim racism.
Moskowitz seeks re-election in the 25th Congressional District after redistricting gave Republicans a better chance. Wasserman Schultz is running in a newly redrawn 20th Congressional District, which primarily includes Black constituents and leans Democratic.