DMFI announces fourth wave of congressional endorsements
Pro-Israel group throws its support behind Senate challengers in Maine and Colorado
courtesy
Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon
Democratic Majority for Israel’s political action committee, established last year to support pro-Israel Democrats, plans to announce its fourth round of congressional endorsements today. The latest list features two senior Democratic incumbents facing primary challengers.
In Maryland’s 5th congressional district, the group is endorsing House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, who is facing four challengers in the June 2nd primary.
In New York’s 10th district, DMFI is supporting longtime Rep. Jerry Nadler, chair of the influential House Judiciary Committee, who is being challenged by Lindsey Boylan, a progressive rising star, and former Andrew Yang staffer Jonathan Herzog in the June 23rd primary.
In New York’s 8th district, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, who is running unopposed in the Democratic primary, has earned the group’s support for the general election against Republican challenger Garfield Wallace.
In New York’s 3rd district, DMFI is backing Rep. Tom Suozzi, a two-term congressman representing parts of Nassau and Suffolk counties, who is facing two primary challengers — Melanie D’Arrigo and Michael Weinstock. Suozzi, who succeeded former Rep. Steve Israel, will face three rivals in November, including a Working Families candidate.
Senate challengers: In the group’s first round of endorsements for Senate candidates, DMFI is endorsing Sara Gideon in Maine, the speaker of the state’s House of Representatives, who is aiming to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Gideon, who is leading in the polls, is facing two competitors — Bre Kidman and Betsy Sweet — in the July 14 primary.
And in Colorado, former Gov. John Hickenlooper — who is running to unseat Republican Sen. Cory Gardner and is being challenged in the June 30 primary by former speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives Andrew Romanoff — picked up DMFI’s support.
Rewarding allies: “We’re excited to endorse these effective pro-Israel leaders for the House and Senate and we look forward to helping them win their elections. Control of the Senate is well within reach for Democrats this cycle,” DMFI President and CEO Mark Mellman told Jewish Insider. “Supporting a strong U.S.-Israel relationship is wise policy and election results across the country demonstrate that it’s also good politics.”