Three key takeaways from the midterms

Democrats swept the midterm elections with margins too big to rig. From traditional Republican strongholds to seats gerrymandered to boost Republicans, Democrats won by significant percentages – and Jewish voters and JDCA made a difference in many of those races. 

 Here are three key takeaways, and how we think they will impact 2027 and beyond. 

1. This election was a broad rejection of Donald Trump’s agenda and of extremes, and the new Democratic majorities will govern from the center.

Voters across the country, including Jewish voters, rejected the extremism, cruelty, chaos, and corruption of the Trump administration. They sent a clear message about the direction they want for the country with overwhelming support for moderate Democrats, including nearly all of JDCA’s 178 endorsees. This was not a blue tsunami driven by partisanship, but a coalition of voters from across the political spectrum demanding political change. In the 120th Congress, Democrats will have to govern from the center, not allowing ideological extremes to hijack the agenda, while making tangible progress on the issues that matter most to the American people.  

2. Jewish voters held steady as a core part of a winning Democratic coalition.

Despite some speculation about Jewish voters leaving the Democratic Party, 72% of Jewish voters supported Democrats in the midterms. The issues motivating Jewish voters were similar to those driving voters of all backgrounds: affordability, the cost of living, and the future of democracy. Jewish voters also have a deep concern about rising antisemitism and extremism from across the political spectrum, and trust Democrats more to address it. Join us today at 1:00 p.m. ET for an Election Results Briefing with Simon Rosenberg and pollster Jim Gerstein for more in-depth analysis of the results and the Jewish vote.

3. 75% of Americans will soon have a Democratic governor, and more than half of all Americans will live in a state with a Democratic trifecta.

These midterms resulted in historic state wins for Democrats, including flipping five governors’ mansions, 549 state legislative seats, and 12 state legislative chambers. This means that 75% of Americans will soon have a Democratic governor and more than half of all Americans will also have a fully Democratic-controlled state legislature. State governments determine access to public education, reproductive rights and gender-affirming care, and all matters related to elections and voting. These wins represent a monumental change at the state level to defend democracy and advance policies that support all Americans, which will directly impact how we vote in the 2028 election. 

In 2026, JDCA turned out the Jewish vote and went places we’d never been before, including previously “red” districts and states. We didn’t take any race for granted, whether it involved a Democratic or Republican incumbent, a gerrymandered district, or a historic Republican stronghold. None of this would have been possible without your support, and we hope it continues because our work doesn’t stop here. JDCA will continue to ensure the voices of Jewish Americans are heard in Congress and on the campaign trail as we head into the next election.

With gratitude,

Sarah Garfinkel
Digital Director, Jewish Democratic Council of America