Jewish Democrats Launch 2020 Campaign with Ad Showing President Trump Is ‘Biggest Threat to American Jews’
WASHINGTON — With the release of a striking new ad calling President Trump the biggest threat facing American Jews, the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) today launched its 2020 campaign to engage and mobilize voters leading up to the 2020 election.
From chants of “Jews will not replace us” and violence at the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, to the 11 lives lost in Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue, American Jews are less secure as a direct result of the president’s rhetoric inspiring and emboldening white nationalists. And they know it. According to recent polling, 73% of Jewish voters feel less secure than they did two years ago, and 59% blame Trump for the Pittsburgh and Poway synagogue shootings.
Jewish voters overwhelmingly reject Trump because his policies are antithetical to our values, and this is why JDCA, the only national organization representing Jewish Democrats, this week unveiled a plan for a year of action to take back the White House in 2020.
“Jewish Democrats have an obligation to work to defeat Donald Trump in 2020. His words and actions, bigotry and lies directly contribute to increased violence and anti-Semitism in our country,” said Ron Klein, chairman of JDCA and former member of Congress. “JDCA is committed to mobilizing Jewish voters in the next election who, in 2018, played a significant role ensuring Democrats took back control of the House. In 2020, Jewish Democrats will continue to play a leading role in key races, and help to put someone in the White House who shares our values.”
Now, a year out from the 2020 election, the Jewish Democratic Council of America has launched a comprehensive political and organizing strategy, including a grassroots activation plan, to get out the Jewish vote and help Democrats get elected by mobilizing Jewish voters.
Through an analysis of the 2020 map, including where the Jewish community can impact the outcome of federal races in support of Democrats, JDCA has identified 14 key states and regions in which to focus its efforts, including vital swing states such as Florida, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina and Wisconsin.
“President Trump is the biggest threat to the safety and security of American Jews. The anti-Semitic dog-whistles, conspiracy theories, bigotry, and hateful rhetoric and policies permeating through the GOP begin with him,” said Halie Soifer, executive director of JDCA. “His words have been cited by those who have violently attacked or planned to attack our places of worship and communities. Trump’s own bigotry was exposed in the aftermath of Charlottesville, when he equated neo-Nazis with those peacefully protesting them, and in his ridiculous claim that Jews who vote for Democrats are ‘disloyal.’ JDCA will do everything we can to elect someone who shares our values in November of 2020.”
The central component of JDCA’s 2020 mobilization will be the creation of chapters in these 14 key states. Chapters will be led by lay leaders, including some members of JDCA’s newly formed Next Gen Council, and will recruit members, host events, write local op-eds, support JDCA-backed candidates, and amplify the message of JDCA to voters in these critical communities. From board members to college campus leaders to Next Gen Council members, JDCA’s power on-the-ground in these target states will energize Jewish voters in support of Democratic candidates.
For more information or to speak with Halie Soifer, Ron Klein or a member of JDCA’s Next Gen Council, contact us at [email protected].