Jewish Democrats Issue Fifth Round of Endorsements
September 13, 2018
JDCA has now endorsed 31 candidates for House, Senate as Dems prepare for “blue wave.”
WASHINGTON — Today, the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) – the voice for Jewish Democrats and progressive, pro-Israel values – announced its fifth round of endorsements in the 2018 midterm elections. This brings JDCA’s total number of Senate and House endorsements to 31 in an election cycle where the Jewish vote will be critical in helping Democrats retake the House of Representatives and possibly the U.S. Senate. JDCA plans to announce additional endorsements prior to the election in November, and is mobilizing a Get Out the Jewish Vote (GOTJV) mobilization plan, including a Jewish election volunteer operation.
In this most recent round, JDCA is endorsing Sen. Joe Donnelly (IN) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (CA) for re-election, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (AZ) for election to the U.S. Senate, and House candidates Harley Rouda (CA-48), Kim Schrier (WA-8), and Jeff Van Drew (NJ-2).
“JDCA stands with candidates who align with the Jewish community on a range of domestic and foreign policy issues. JDCA also seeks to endorse candidates running in states and districts where the Jewish vote could be pivotal in turning the seat blue,” said Halie Soifer, JDCA Executive Director. “The margin of victory in any of these races will be razor thin, and the Jewish vote could serve as the decisive factor in the outcome of the race. We are intentionally targeting those communities, and are building incredible momentum as we head into the November elections. We expect to see not only a blue wave in November, but also a Jewish blue wave, and JDCA will no doubt serve a critical role in helping Democrats win.”
These six endorsements come on the heels of JDCA’s fourth round of endorsements, which included Senate candidates Sens. Bob Casey (PA) and Tina Smith (MN), and Rep. Beto O’Rourke (TX) as well as House candidates Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-17), Andy Kim (NJ-3), Colin Allred (TX-32), Katie Hill (CA-25), David Trone (MD-6), and Jennifer Wexton (VA-10).
“As we approach Election Day, our work is becoming even more essential – JDCA aims to flip the House and the Senate to Democratic control, and set the stage for a Democratic win in 2020. President Trump and Republicans in Congress must be held accountable for their policies and actions, which are out of step with Jewish and Democratic values,” Soifer said. “We plan to do so by ousting Republicans who have given a blank check to President Trump’s agenda in Congress, and by supporting strong Democrats running for the Senate and House who share our values. Trump is completely out of step with our values, and this is why we are confident the Jewish community will support Democrats in overwhelming numbers in November,” said Soifer.
Senator Joe Donnelly has served as a senator from Indiana since 2012. In that time, he has focused on supporting our military, fighting the opioid epidemic, protecting veterans, and expanding access to affordable health care.
Senator Dianne Feinstein has served as California’s senator since 1992, after serving as San Francisco’s mayor. As the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, she has been a staunch advocate for the rule of law, equal justice, and executive branch oversight. She has also served as a leading voice in the Senate in support of gun safety legislation.
Rep. Kyrsten Sinema has served in the U.S. House since her election in 2012, and before that, as a member of the Arizona State Senate. She is poised to turn Arizona blue in her race against Rep. Martha McSally this November. In the House, Sinema has developed a reputation for a bipartisan leader as a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus and Blue Dog Coalition.
Harley Rouda is mounting a powerful challenge in California’s 48th Congressional District against Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, a strong supporter of the Trump agenda who is also closely aligned with Russia. Rouda, a successful real estate entrepreneur, has focused on income inequality and protecting the country’s democratic institutions in his bid to represent a district that spans Orange County.
Dr. Kim Schrier is a pediatrician challenging incumbent Rep. Dave Reichert in Washington’s Eighth Congressional District. Schrier has advocated for universal access to healthcare, and has elevated the issues of climate change, education, women’s health, and gun safety in her campaign.
Dr. Jeff Van Drew aims to fill the seat of retiring Rep. Frank LoBiondo, the longtime Republican congressman from New Jersey’s Second Congressional District. Van Drew, who has served for a decade in the New Jersey State Senate, has a reputation for being an effective state legislator who has proven his ability to work across the aisle. His top priority in the campaign is finding ways to bring economic opportunities to South New Jersey. He is facing Republican candidate Seth Grossman, who has made numerous racist comments about African-Americans and shared white supremacist articles online.