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J Street dealt setbacks in competitive midterm races

The political action committee of the left-wing Israel group J Street batted just under 43 percent on Tuesday night, as most of their endorsed candidates in competitive races wound up losing their bid.

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont speaking at a J Street National Conference in Washington. Source: Screenshot.
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont speaking at a J Street National Conference in Washington. Source: Screenshot.

The political action committee of the left-wing Israel group J Street batted just under 43 percent on Tuesday night, as most of their endorsed candidates in competitive races wound up losing their bid.

According to an analysis by the political consulting group Rational 360, J Street PAC, while winning the vast majority of uncompetitive races in both the House and Senate, lost 32 out of 56 (nearly 60 percent) competitive campaigns it endorsed.

With the House, J Street PAC lost 29 of the 51 competitive House races (nearly 57 percent).

On the Senate side, it won just two of the five competitive races it endorsed: Nevada’s Jacky Rosen, who unseated Republican Dean Heller, and Montana’s Jon Tester, who defeated an incumbent challenge from Republican Matt Rosendale. Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke, Missouri’s Claire McCaskill and North Dakota’s Heidi Heitkamp each lost their respective race.

J Street PAC raised $5 million for 163 congressional candidates, according to the group.

“The most powerful response we can offer is not conflict but proudly and peacefully enjoying the food, atmosphere and togetherness that these wonderful businesses bring to Philadelphia,” the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia said.
“It’s an evolving trend that shows greater signs of permanence than temporary quality,” Dan Diker of the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs told JNS.
“We’ll show up strong, with pride and solidarity, and keep the focus on peaceful support,” Yehuda Sichel, who owns Huda in downtown Philadelphia, told JNS.
“We have seen what happens when hatred of Jews moves from the fringes of society into organized political power,” Rabbi Steven Burg of Aish told JNS.