Article

Four Senate Races to Watch

February 15, 2022

The 2022 midterms are a little less than nine months away, and there is so much on the line — the Democratic majority in the House and the Senate, and the future of our democracy. The recent Senate debate on and failure to pass voting rights legislation, delayed votes on the Build Back Better agenda, and forthcoming vote to confirm the next Supreme Court nominee demonstrate just how much each Senate seat matters. We’re preparing to ensure that Democrats don’t just hold, but expand their Senate majority in 2022. So much is at stake in this election, and now is the time to act.

The key to winning in 2022 is getting involved early. JDCA has already endorsed 13 Senate incumbents, to ensure that all of them keep their seats. We want to draw your particular attention to four critical and competitive Senate races, which Democrats have to hold to keep their majority. Just as we did in the 2020 elections, JDCA will expand our efforts to mobilize Jewish voters in especially close elections, where they can have the greatest impact.

SENATOR REVEREND RAPHAEL WARNOCK

As the former pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock has built and cultivated strong ties with Georgia’s Jewish community. Throughout his first year in the Senate, he has fought tirelessly in support of passing voting rights legislation. JDCA played a key role in mobilizing Georgia’s Jewish vote in 2020 because Sen. Warnock is a proven friend of the Jewish community, Israel, and democracy, and we’ll do it again in 2022.

In 2020, JDCA emphasized the shared values of the Black and Jewish communities. We’re proud to endorse Sen. Warnock again in 2022, so he can continue his important work in the Senate. Watch JDCA’s 2020 ad, Running Together.

SENATOR CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO (NV)

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto has represented Nevada since her election to the Senate in 2016, and previously served as the Attorney General of Nevada. During this time, she has championed issues of importance to Jewish Democrats, including support of Israel, defending democracy, and combatting antisemitism. Sen. Cortez Masto made history as the first Latina ever elected to the United States Senate and is a proven leader on key issues in Nevada, such as tourism, tribal affairs, and natural resources. The Senator is gearing up for a tough re-election campaign, in a state that President Biden narrowly won.

SENATOR MARK KELLY (AZ)

Senator Mark Kelly is a Navy Veteran and retired NASA astronaut proudly representing the state of Arizona. Sen. Kelly’s views firmly align with those of Jewish Dems. He has championed gun reform alongside his wife, former Arizona congresswoman, and gun-violence victim, Gabby Giffords. JDCA endorsed and supported Sen. Kelly in 2020 and has had a strong relationship with his Senate office since his election. We are proud to endorse Sen. Kelly and help elect him to a full six-year term in the Senate.

SENATOR MAGGIE HASSAN (NH)

Senator Maggie Hassan is running for re-election in New Hampshire, where polling suggests it will be a close race. That is nothing new – in 2016 Senator Hassan prevailed by just 800 votes. Senator Hassan is a friend of Jewish Dems, and is committed to expanding economic opportunity for the Granite State. She became Governor of New Hampshire in 2013, where she worked to fight the opioid crisis, led the state to have the lowest unemployment rate in the nation, and froze in-state tuition at state universities. She is a proven leader who delivers for New Hampshire.

Thank you for your help to ensure Democrats win in 2022.

Sincerely,

Halie Soifer,

CEO, Jewish Democratic Council of America