Two Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives representing New York City, who face primary challengers from fellow Democrats opposed to their support for Israel, received endorsements on Tuesday from the Democratic Majority for Israel’s political action committee.
Reps. Richie Torres (D-N.Y.) and Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) were among 65 House Democrats backed by the group, which spent more than $6 million in the 2024 federal elections, according to the research group OpenSecrets.
“At this critical moment for the U.S.-Israel relationship, these incumbent candidates understand what’s at stake, and they know that standing with our ally Israel is not only good policy but good politics,” stated Brian Romick, president of DMFI and chair of DMFI PAC.
“This slate represents the strength and diversity of the Democratic Party,” he added. “They are battle-tested leaders who will work to ensure America upholds the ceasefire, the peace plan, and a strong and mutually beneficial U.S.-Israel partnership.”
The PAC previously endorsed four Democrats running for open Senate seats: Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), plus Roy Cooper, former governor of North Carolina.
DMFI PAC said more endorsements are on the way.
Goldman, who is Jewish, is facing a primary challenge from Brad Lander, comptroller of New York City. He is Jewish and backed by New York state assemblyman and mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
Mamdani has repeatedly stated that he would have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if the leader were to visit the city.
Torres, one of Israel’s most vocal supporters in Congress, faces opposition from Dalourny Nemorin, a public defender who, like Mamdani, is a member of the anti-Israel Democratic Socialists of America, as well as former state Assembly member Michael Blake.
Blake now opposes U.S. support for Israel after previously addressing an American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference and traveling to Israel on a trip sponsored by AIPAC’s educational arm.
Among the other recent DMFI PAC endorsees are Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.), Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Mike Levin (D-Calif.) and Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), who are Jewish or of Jewish ancestry, in addition to Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).
