Five US midterm contests put Israel and Jewish voting loyalties in focus

Jewish voters face competing political considerations in five closely watched contests ahead of Tuesday’s US midterm elections. Democrats hope dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump will help them capture Congress, while divisions over Israel could complicate their appeal to a constituency that has traditionally supported the party. Polling also shows that American Jews largely oppose Trump.

In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democrat Gary Peters. Keeping the seat is likely to be important to Democratic hopes of winning the chamber. El-Sayed alarmed some Jewish voters when he responded to an attempted terrorist mass killing at a synagogue and preschool by saying, “Hurt people hurt people.” He subsequently apologized.

The contest intensified over the weekend when Haley Stevens, who lost to El-Sayed in the Democratic primary, endorsed Rogers. Earlier, El-Sayed supporter Cenk Uygur circulated an advertisement blaming Israel for high US grocery prices. El-Sayed distanced himself from it, but Stevens criticized both the video and his relationship with streamer Hasan Piker. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned her endorsement. On Sunday, Jewish advocacy group Nonnegotiable Michigan urged Jewish Democrats unable to support either candidate to write in poet Emma Lazarus. Other Jewish voters are backing El-Sayed.

In New York’s 17th Congressional District, Republican Representative Mike Lawler and Democratic challenger Cait Conley both support Israel. Conley, a decorated military veteran and former national security official, has supported the US partnership with Israel and distanced herself from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s anti-Zionism. Lawler has developed relationships with local Jewish communities, particularly Orthodox and Hasidic groups, since entering office in 2023. A 2024 study commissioned by the Jewish Electorate Institute estimated that Jews make up 19 percent of district residents. Polls show the candidates running even.

Georgia’s Senate race pits incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff, who is Jewish, against Republican Mike Collins. Some Collins relatives and former employees have faced scrutiny over far-right politics, including antisemitic and white supremacist views. Ossoff has upset some Jewish community members by supporting restrictions on certain arms sales to Israel, but has the Jewish Democratic Council of America’s endorsement. Seen as a possible presidential candidate in 2028, he leads in polling.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a moderate Democrat who supports Israel, faces Jewish Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman. Hochul has emphasized Blakeman’s connection to Trump, while Blakeman has linked her to Mamdani, anti-Zionist demonstrations and antisemitism. NYPD figures show Jews are targeted by hate crimes far more frequently than any other group in the city.

Some pro-Israel Jews have criticized Hochul’s campaign and legislative cooperation with Mamdani, although she has separated herself from some of his positions on Israel. On Sunday, she joined him and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a Queens sports bar. Hochul has a substantial polling lead and endorsements from Jewish groups, including Hasidic organizations. Blakeman’s support among Jewish voters could indicate dissatisfaction with the state’s Democratic leadership.

In Florida’s 25th Congressional District, Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz faces Republican Scott Singer, the former Boca Raton mayor. Both are Jewish, reject allegations of genocide in Gaza and oppose ending US military assistance to Israel. Moskowitz has defended his backing from AIPAC and criticized antisemitism on the left. Singer has attacked his vote for a 2026 war powers resolution following Trump administration strikes on Iran without congressional approval, while linking him to the Democratic left. Polls show a close contest, with varying results. Defeat would cost House Democrats a prominent pro-Israel Jewish member.