Democratic Majority for Israel PAC announced its second round of primary endorsements for 2022, including its first endorsement of U.S. Senate candidates on Monday.
In a news release, DMFI endorsed 20 candidates, out of which nine are incumbents and 10 are vying for open seats.
Two of the candidates, Reps. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) and Val Demings (D-Fla.), are current members of Congress running for a Senate seat. Ryan is running to fill an open seat, while Demings will challenge incumbent Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).
In a tweet, Ryan said that he was proud to be endorsed by DMFI. “As a senator, I’ll always support the relationship between our two countries, and stand up for a peaceful and prosperous future for Israel,” he wrote.
The endorsements include members of the Democratic leadership, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).
Other endorsements include Nikki Budzinski, who is running for Illinois’s 13th Congressional District seat; Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.) an incumbent running for re-election in California’s 29th Congressional District seat; State Sen. Don Davis, who is running in North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District; State Sen. Valeri Foushee, running for North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District seat; Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) an incumbent in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District; and State Rep. Daniel Hernández Jr., who is running for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District seat.
State Sen. Sydney Kamlager, running for California’s 37th Congressional District seat; Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), running as an incumbent in Washington’s 2nd Congressional District; Rep. Kathy Manning (D-N.C.), an incumbent running in North Carolina’s 6th Congressional District; Robert Menendez Jr., running for New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District seat; Assemblymember Kevin Mullin, running for California’s 15th Congressional District seat; State Sen. Brittany Petterson, running for Colorado’s 7th Congressional District seat; Ruben Ramirez, running for Texas’s 15th Congressional District seat; Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), an incumbent running in California’s 32nd Congressional District; Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), an incumbent running in California’s 52nd Congressional District; and Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.), an incumbent running in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District.
According to the release, DMFI endorsed candidates committed to supporting the agendas of U.S. President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party, and are supportive of a strong U.S.-Israeli relationship.
“We are proud to release our newest round of endorsements, which includes two pro-Israel champions—Reps. Val Demings and Tim Ryan—who are vying for U.S. Senate seats in critical swing states, distinguished incumbent members of Congress, as well as a diverse group of up-and-coming Democratic leaders,” DMFI PAC president Mark Mellman said in the release. “With tick-tight Democratic margins in the House and Senate, DMFI PAC is laser-focused on supporting candidates who will work to unify the Democratic Party, win general elections and support the Democratic agenda, including a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.”
