Jewish voters/ pro-Trump Jewish coalition/ swing state Jewish voters/ Michigan GOP/ Israel-U.S. relations/ Newslooks/ WEST BLOOMFIELD/ Mich./ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) is mobilizing efforts across swing states, particularly Michigan, to increase support for Donald Trump among Jewish voters. With door-to-door canvassing and a large advertising investment, the GOP hopes to gain ground in critical Jewish communities traditionally favoring Democrats. The recent Israel-Hamas conflict has further highlighted divisions within the U.S. Jewish electorate.
GOP’s Jewish Voter Campaign: Quick Looks
- GOP voter outreach: The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) is targeting Jewish voters in Michigan and other key swing states.
- Campaign focus: The RJC aims to reduce Democrats’ advantage by increasing Trump support among Jewish voters.
- Recent conflict impact: The Israel-Hamas war has influenced the Jewish community’s political leanings and safety concerns.
- Democratic response: The Jewish Democratic Council argues Kamala Harris aligns more closely with Jewish values.
GOP Seeks Pro-Trump Jewish Voter Turnout in Swing States
Deep Look
The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) has ramped up efforts to turn out Jewish voters in several crucial battleground states, primarily aiming to bolster support for Donald Trump in the upcoming 2024 election. This campaign includes a significant door-to-door outreach program in states like Michigan, where Jewish voters traditionally lean Democratic but may be swayed due to recent geopolitical shifts and local concerns. The RJC’s strategy reflects a broader Republican push to chip away at Democrats’ historically strong support within the Jewish community, particularly in light of rising antisemitism and Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Focused Canvassing Efforts in Michigan:
The RJC’s campaign is concentrating its efforts in areas with strong Jewish populations, including Oakland County, Michigan’s second most populous region. The county contains key suburbs like Farmington Hills, Oak Park, Southfield, and West Bloomfield, where Jewish residents form a notable portion of the voting population. West Bloomfield alone has a significant Jewish demographic, with many homes visibly displaying support for Israel. Republican canvassers, such as David Cuttner and Noam Nedivi, spent recent weekends visiting Jewish households to emphasize Trump’s historical support for Israel and his administration’s policies, contrasting this with the positions of Democrat Kamala Harris.
Despite a historically Democratic trend among Jewish voters, the Republican Jewish Coalition believes that recent global and local issues—particularly the October 7, 2023, Israel-Hamas war—have shifted the landscape. According to the RJC, about 15,000 new Jewish Republican voters have been identified in Michigan since 2020, a substantial number in a state where Jewish residents make up around 2% of the voting population. These new voters could prove crucial in a closely contested race, especially given Michigan’s razor-thin 2020 margin, where Joe Biden’s victory over Trump came by fewer than 155,000 votes out of 5.5 million cast.
Significant Financial and Strategic Investment:
The RJC has committed $15 million to reach Jewish voters across Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, including a specific $5 million allocation for door-to-door canvassing. This door-knocking component is new for this election cycle and is bolstered by advanced voter data to better pinpoint likely Trump supporters. RJC’s spokesperson Sam Markstein noted the campaign’s emphasis on direct, hyper-targeted outreach through digital ads, social media, and direct mail specifically aimed at the Jewish community, marking this as the group’s largest investment to date.
For voters like Rachel Weinberg, a retired preschool teacher in West Bloomfield, Israel remains a core factor influencing her voting choice. “I vote for Israel,” she remarked, noting her firm stance on supporting Trump due to his administration’s record on Israeli policies. Weinberg is a typical target of the RJC’s outreach, representing Jewish voters with previous Republican leanings or heightened concerns about U.S.-Israel relations.
Opposition from Jewish Democratic Groups:
The RJC’s efforts have met strong responses from Democratic Jewish organizations, who argue that Trump’s record contains troubling elements for Jewish Americans. Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, highlighted Kamala Harris’ alignment with Jewish American values, contrasting it with Trump’s record of antisemitic rhetoric and alliances with extremist factions. “Kamala Harris shares the views and values of the majority of American Jews,” Soifer said, adding that Trump’s actions posed a potential threat to Jewish communities.
The Role of Israel-Hamas Conflict in Shifting Opinions:
The latest Israel-Hamas war, which began in October 2023 with a Hamas-led attack on Israeli civilians, has sharply divided U.S. opinions and re-centered the debate over U.S.-Israel relations. As many as 1,200 Israelis were killed in the initial attack, with 250 others taken hostage. The conflict has since escalated, with Gaza health officials reporting over 42,000 Palestinian casualties from ongoing military actions. This violence has intensified U.S. Jewish community concerns, with many voters describing an increased sense of vulnerability amid recent incidents of antisemitism and pro-Palestine protests across U.S. cities and college campuses.
For voters like Noam Nedivi, a college student and RJC canvasser, experiences of antisemitism at Michigan institutions have further emphasized the stakes of this election. “The recent rise in antisemitism has made Jewish voters reconsider the political landscape,” he noted. Meanwhile, other Jewish voters see the election as a moment to guard against authoritarianism, with cybersecurity technician Zeke Aharonov, another voter from West Bloomfield, describing his decision to vote against Trump as part of a “duty to fight fascism.”
As Election Day approaches, the Republican Jewish Coalition is hoping to sway a critical minority within the Jewish community in swing states, aiming to reduce the Democratic advantage enough to impact Trump’s chances in close races. While the outcome remains uncertain, both parties recognize the importance of securing Jewish voter support, particularly in regions where even small shifts could prove decisive.
