El-Sayed, AIPAC, antisemitism and Israel: 5 US midterm races to watch

The Times of Israel previews five US midterm races with significant implications for Jewish voters and Israel-related issues, including the Michigan Senate race where Democrat Abdul El-Sayed's rhetoric on Israel has alarmed Jewish voters, and contests in New York, Georgia, and Florida that test pro-Israel positioning and the influence of the far left.

With US midterm elections on Tuesday, five races carry particular significance for Jewish voters and Israel-related issues. In Michigan, the Senate race between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers tests Jewish support for the Democratic Party after El-Sayed's controversial comment about a synagogue attack and an ad blaming Israel for high grocery prices. In New York's 17th District, both incumbent Republican Mike Lawler and Democratic challenger Cait Conley are pro-Israel, testing whether a moderate Democrat can win over Jewish voters. In Georgia, Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff faces Republican Mike Collins, whose associates have been linked to antisemitism; Ossoff has drawn criticism for voting to cut arms sales to Israel. The New York governor's race pits incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul against Republican Bruce Blakeman, with Hochul facing scrutiny over her ties to anti-Zionist Mayor Zohran Mamdani. In Florida, both candidates in the 25th District are Jewish and pro-Israel, with Democrat Jared Moskowitz backed by AIPAC. The article notes that Jewish voters are largely opposed to Trump but also alarmed by far-left anti-Zionism.