GOP Targets Jewish Voters in Key States To Trim Democrats’ Advantage
October 29, 2024
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As the November 5 election approaches, the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) is ramping up its efforts to sway Jewish voters, particularly those with a history of supporting Republican candidates.
In West Bloomfield, Michigan, Rachel Weinberg, a 72-year-old retired preschool teacher, expressed her support for Donald Trump, prioritizing her allegiance to Israel above all.
She said: “I vote for Israel. It is our life. I support Israel. Trump supports Israel with his mouth and his actions.”
Weinberg’s home was one of more than 20 visited by RJC canvassers on a recent Sunday as part of a broader initiative aimed at reaching out to Jewish voters in five critical battleground states.
Republican Jewish Coalition members David Cuttner, left, and Noam Nedivi, right, talk with David Rabens about the election on October 27, 2024, in West Bloomfield, Michigan. The group has been reaching out to Jewish voters. Republican Jewish Coalition members David Cuttner, left, and Noam Nedivi, right, talk with David Rabens about the election on October 27, 2024, in West Bloomfield, Michigan. The group has been reaching out to Jewish voters. Jose Juarez/AP
How Did Jewish People Vote in 2020?
The coalition hopes to mobilize support for Trump against Democrat Kamala Harris, particularly in light of ongoing discussions surrounding the Israel-Hamas war, which has intensified divisions within the community.
Nationally, Jewish voters have historically leaned Democratic, with around 70 percent supporting Joe Biden in the 2020 election.
However, the RJC is working to shift this dynamic, focusing on the approximately 15,000 new Jewish Republican voters identified in Michigan since the last election.
While Jewish voters represent only 2 percent of Michigan’s electorate, this demographic could prove pivotal in a close race; Biden won the state by fewer than 155,000 votes in 2020.
RJC member David Cuttner, right, places tefillin, a set of leather boxes with leather straps containing scrolls of parchment, on himself. The coalition has identified 15,000 new Jewish Republican voters in Michigan since 2020. RJC member David Cuttner, right, places tefillin, a set of leather boxes with leather straps containing scrolls of parchment, on himself. The coalition has identified 15,000 new Jewish Republican voters in Michigan since 2020. Jose Juarez/AP
What is the Republican Jewish Coalition Victory Fund?
The coalition is targeting specific areas within Michigan, particularly Oakland County, which is known for its significant Jewish population.
Neighborhoods such as Farmington Hills, Oak Park, Southfield, and West Bloomfield are receiving focused outreach, including direct mail and digital advertising campaigns designed to resonate with Jewish constituents.
The RJC has committed $15 million in advertising across key states, with an additional $5 million earmarked for door-to-door canvassing efforts, marking a strategic shift in how it engages potential voters.
Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, countered the RJC’s messaging, emphasizing the importance of Jewish voters within the Democratic coalition.
What Impact Will the Israel-Hamas War Have on Voters?
She criticized Trump for what she described as antisemitic rhetoric and an alignment with extremist views, asserting that Kamala Harris embodies the values held by the majority of American Jews.
The backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war has heightened tensions and influenced voter sentiment.
Since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, which resulted in significant casualties on both sides, many Jewish Americans have expressed feelings of vulnerability, citing rising antisemitism and anti-Israel protests as factors contributing to their concerns.
As Election Day draws nearer, the RJC’s targeted efforts reflect a strategic response to changing dynamics within the Jewish voting bloc, aiming to leverage the current political climate to bolster support for their candidate.
The outcome of this outreach may have significant implications for the election, particularly in closely contested states where every vote counts.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press.
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