Florida Democrat Jared Moskowitz targeted in attempted assassination plot

Jared Moskowitz, a House Democrat who won re-election in Florida on Tuesday, was the target in an assassination plot in the days leading up to Election Day.

John Lapinski, 41, was arrested on Nov. 2 on firearms-related charges, according to a press release from the Margate (Fla.) Police Department.

A release from the Moskowitz’s office on Friday tied the arrest to a threat he was only made aware of on Monday that he said “put my family in danger.”

In the release, a statement from Moskowitz said Lapinski was in possession of a rifle, a suppressor and body armor, and was found with “a manifesto that, among other things, included antisemitic rhetoric and only my name on the ‘target’ list.”

Moskowitz, who is Jewish and a vocal supporter of Israel, was elected to a second term representing Florida’s 23rd District, defeating Republican nominee Joe Kaufman by a 4.8-point margin.

“I am deeply worried about Congressional member security and the significant lack thereof when we are in the district. Regardless of our political affiliations or differences, we all have families we want to keep safe,” said Moskowitz, who was a Democratic appointee to the House task force investigating the attempted assassination of President-elect Donald Trump.