GOP targets Jewish voters in tight Pa. Senate race
Republicans are focusing on Sen. Pat Toomey’s (R-Pa.) vote against the Iran nuclear deal as they court Jewish voters in the Philadelphia suburbs.
{mosads}With Toomey in a dead heat with Democratic challenger Katie McGinty in a race that could determine control of the Senate, the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) is attacking McGinty’s support of the Iran nuclear deal in a new ad.
“By supporting this dangerous deal with Iran, Katie McGinty is placing partisan interests ahead of the security of Pennsylvanians, our country, and our allies around the world,” said RJC executive director Matt Brooks.
The new ad, backed by a $500,000 buy across TV and digital — and focused entirely on Jewish voters in the electorally vital Philadelphia suburbs — describes McGinty as “dangerously naive.”
The RJC’s volunteer organizers are also going door-to-door in the Philadelphia suburbs telling voters about McGinty’s support for the deal and Toomey’s staunch opposition to it. The group says it’s also sending out mailers in an effort to peel Jewish votes away from McGinty.
Jewish voters made up 4 percent of the Pennsylvania electorate in 2012, according to exit polls. The RJC contends it’s possible that these voters could tip Toomey over the top in such a tight race.
“We know suburban and Jewish voters have a very negative opinion on the Iran deal and amongst Jewish voters, terrorism and national security are among the top issues they will vote on,” an RJC source said.
The RJC’s major funder is GOP megadonor Sheldon Adelson, a Las Vegas casino owner who has already spent more than $50 million this election cycle helping House and Senate Republicans hold their majorities. He’s boosting Donald Trump at the presidential level as well.
American Jews overwhelmingly vote for Democrats. It’s a long-term ambition of the RJC to convert them into Republicans.
So far this year, the RJC says it’s made about 400,000 Jewish voter contacts in the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio, with several hundred volunteers targeting Jewish voters.
Democrats need to win five Senate seats — or four if they keep the White House — to win control of the Senate.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Regular the hill posts
The Hill Podcasts
