Senate Races Every Jewish Dem Should Watch

So much is on the line in the midterm elections. The tragic murder of at least 19 children and two adults in Uvalde, Texas comes after years of Republican obstruction of common sense gun safety reform. Republican extremism on gun safety, abortion rights, and democracy demonstrates the stakes in the upcoming midterm elections. There is so much on the line — we must win in 2022.

The key to winning in November is getting involved and helping candidates early. JDCA has already endorsed 62 congressional and gubernatorial candidates. Our three new endorsements this week include John Fetterman for Senate in Pennsylvania, who is one of eight candidates we must elect to hold and expand the Democrats’ Senate majority. Keep reading for more about 8 critical Senate races to watch in the midterms.

SENATOR REV. RAPHAEL WARNOCK (GA) FOR RE-ELECTION

In the former pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock has built and cultivated strong ties with Georgia’s Jewish community. 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. Watch JDCA PAC’s 2020 ad, Running Together here.

SENATOR CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO (NV) FOR RE-ELECTION

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, the former Attorney General of Nevada, 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. She is gearing up for a tough re-election campaign, in a state that President Biden narrowly won.

SENATOR MARK KELLY (AZ) FOR RE-ELECTION

Senator Mark Kelly is a Navy Veteran and retired NASA astronaut proudly representing the state of Arizona. He has championed gun reform alongside his wife, former Arizona congresswoman and gun violence survivor Hon. Gabby Giffords. JDCA endorsed and supported Sen. Kelly in 2020 and his office has worked closely with JDCA on issues of importance to the Jewish community.

SENATOR MAGGIE HASSAN (NH) FOR RE-ELECTION

Senator Maggie Hassan is running for re-election in New Hampshire, where in 2016 she 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 is a proven leader who delivers for New Hampshire.

FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE CHERI BEASLEY (NC) FOR SENATOR

Former Chief Justice Cheri Beasley served as a North Carolina Supreme Court Justice from 2012 to 2020. It is critical that we elect a Democratic Senator to North Carolina who shares our values and will expand our Senate majority. Justice Beasley strongly supports Israel’s security and the two-state solution and is deeply committed to fighting white supremacy and extremism.

LT. GOVERNOR JOHN FETTERMAN (PA) FOR SENATOR

Pennsylvania’s Lt. Governor John Fetterman strongly represents our Jewish and Democratic values. He champions progressive priorities including worker and union rights and criminal justice reform. During JDCA’s candidate forum for the PA Senate primary, Fetterman underscored the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship, emphasizing his strong opposition to the BDS and his support for U.S. aid to Israel. Winning this race will play a critical role in Democrats maintaining and expanding control of the Senate.

REP. VAL DEMINGS (FL) FOR SENATOR

Rep. Val Demings is the presumptive Democratic nominee for Senate in Florida and will face Marco Rubio in the general election. She is a leading voice in the fight for gun safety reforms, combating extremism, and defending democracy, and has been a committed friend to Jewish Americans and Israel.

REP. TIM RYAN (OH) FOR SENATOR

Rep. Tim Ryan is a dear friend of JDCA and the Jewish community. He is running for Senator against JD Vance, a Trump-endorsed extremist, and we will do everything we can to send Tim Ryan to the Senate.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Happy Memorial Day weekend and Shabbat Shalom,

Hon. Ron Klein,
Board Chair, Jewish Democratic Council of America

Halie Soifer
CEO, Jewish Democratic Council of America