JDCA congratulates AL Sen.-Elect Doug Jones

Today, former Congressman Ron Klein (D-FL), chair of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, released the following statement following Doug Jones’ victory in Alabama’s Senate special election:

As we lit our menorahs last night to welcome Hanukkah, we kicked off the holiday with a near-miracle in our own time, as Doug Jones captured a United States Senate seat in Alabama for the Democrats.

Senator-elect Jones, an ex-federal prosecutor who convicted violent racists, won thanks to a broad coalition of African-Americans, progressives and suburbanites who came together to reject the divisive politics and sordid history of Republican Roy Moore.

Last night’s verdict was a triumph for decency. Moore, a twice-impeached Alabama Supreme Court justice, made his name bashing Muslims, same-sex couples, African-Americans and other social groups. All of that was before he was beset with multiple allegations of pedophilia.

President Trump and his allies on Capitol Hill will have greater trouble now advancing their destructive agenda, with Jones’ victory narrowing their margin in the Senate to a 51-49 advantage. Last night’s result proves that Democrats can and must talk to diverse communities going into the midterm elections. Jones did that, keeping the focus on working families and the issues that matter so much to them: quality education, good healthcare, job training, and opportunities to get ahead.

Momentum is building for a strong push-back to the president and Congress in the upcoming midterm elections. Last night was an important victory, but there’s much more work to be done.