JDCA Weekly Wrap Up – Make a difference in November
Friends,
With less than a month to go before the midterm elections, the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) is doing all we can to make a difference in November. We’re endorsing candidates, strategically investing in races across the country, knocking on doors, phone banking, and urging Democrats to vote. Early and mail-in voting has begun in many states, and some registration windows have closed. Now is the time for our final push, and we encourage you to support JDCA’s efforts to ensure Democrats win in November. Nothing less than the future of our country is at stake, and we know you share our interest in electing strong Democratic candidates who share our progressive and pro-Israel values. For more on what we’re doing – and how you can be a part of the Jewish “blue wave”
JDCA Makes Additional Endorsements
Earlier today, JDCA announced its sixth round of endorsements, bringing JDCA’s total number of endorsements to 46 in this election cycle. JDCA is specifically targeting races in which the Jewish vote will be critical in determining the outcome of the race in support of the Democratic candidate. In this latest round, JDCA is endorsing Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) for reelection to the U.S. Senate. JDCA is also endorsing Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02), Jason Crow (CO-06), Lauren Baer (FL-18), Donna Shalala (FL-27), Andy Levin (MI-09), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Susie Lee (NV-03), and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), as well as JDCA’s first gubernatorial endorsees, Rep. Jared Polis (CO), J.B. Pritzker (IL), and Andrew Gillum (FL). Earlier today, JDCA Executive Director Halie Soifer stated, “We are laser-focused on November 6th and have clear objectives: to flip the House and the Senate to Democratic control, and lay the groundwork for a Democratic win in 2020, including by supporting gubernatorial candidates whose policies are critical at the state level. Jewish Americans overwhelmingly reject Trump’s policies because they are antithetical to our values, and Republicans who have silently acquiesced to the Trump agenda will pay the price at the polls in November.”
Want Change? Take Action with Jewish Dems
There are many theories about why Donald Trump won the 2016 election, but one is unquestionably true: non-voters handed him the presidency and too many voters stayed home. We win if we vote, and we all must take action to bring about the kind of change we’d like to see in November. Luckily, JDCA has an array of events and opportunities designed to help you mobilize our base and Get Out the Jewish Vote. Whether it’s going door-to-door or making phone calls from your home, you can help and you can make a real difference in the midterms! Between now and November 6, we are asking you to volunteer with JDCA by joining a JDCA phonebank or canvass. If we want to see a blue wave in November, we need to give these last few weeks everything we’ve got. Sign-up to volunteer online or email [email protected] with “volunteer” in the subject line. All volunteers – and JDCA supporters who donate at least $100 between now and November – will receive a Jewish Dems button and shirt.
Reflections on Kavanaugh
Last Saturday, the Senate confirmed Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court by the narrowest of margins. While JDCA was deeply disappointed with this result, we are more determined than ever to learn important lessons from this experience that will help us win in November. JDCA encourages its supporters to channel disappointment into action at the polls. We believe that this confirmation will energize Jewish Democrats across the country to go to the polls and elect a Congress that shares our values. Following Kavanaugh’s confirmation, JDCA Executive Director Halie Soifer issued a statement in which she said that Saturday’s vote was “a stark demonstration of the importance of elections and the undeniable reality that elections matter. The Jewish Democratic Council of America understands that nothing less than the future of our democracy is at risk, and are more determined than ever to vote our values – and support Democratic candidates – in November.
The 2018 midterm election is on! In many places around the United States, absentee ballots have been mailed, early voting has started, and the election is 25 days away. Let’s Get Out the Jewish Vote and make a difference now.
Shabbat Shalom,
Ron Klein
Chair, Jewish Democratic Council of America