RJC Applauds Historic GOP Success in Senate; Proud of RJC Efforts in Key States
The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) congratulates the winning Republican candidates elected to the U.S. House and Senate, as well as those who won gubernatorial, state senate and state assembly elections.
RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks said, "The wave of Republican victories in the 2018 midterms demonstrates the strong approval of the American people for the Republican policies that have substantially improved our economy, our national security, and our standing abroad.
"Historically, the party holding the White House loses seats in Congress during the midterm election. This year Republicans did well in a tough environment and increased their share in the Senate. And while we lost seats in the House, it should be noted that Democrats gained far fewer seats in the House this year compared to Republicans in recent history. Republicans gained 63 House seats in the 2010 midterms during President Obama’s first term and 52 in the 1994 midterms during President Clinton’s first term.”
RJC National Chairman Senator Norm Coleman said: "President Trump and the Republican-led Congress accomplished so much in the last two years, including: recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moving the US embassy there, taking us out of the Iran deal and re-imposing strong sanctions, cutting back regulations and growing jobs in this country."
Coleman continued: "Now it is time for Republicans and Democrats to come together to continue to move our country forward and pursue thoughtful legislation to grow our economy, reform health care, secure our borders, and strengthen the US-Israel alliance."
Brooks noted, “The RJC is particularly proud of the role we played in three critical elections: Brian Fitzpatrick's House race against Democrat Scott Wallace in PA-1, Denver Riggleman's House race against Democrat Leslie Cockburn in VA-5, and Kevin Cramer's Senate race against Democrat Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota. The RJC's "Majority is the Priority" outreach campaign highlighted issues that resonated with voters concerned about Israel and about the radical progressive anti-Israel views of the Democrats in those races. We invested $2 million in these three races with significant and effective ad campaigns. Due in large part to our efforts, the Republican won each of those seats. RJC efforts also played a role in some key GOP gubernatorial victories, including Florida and Ohio.”
Brooks added: "One ongoing concern is the number of left-wing progressive Democrats who won in safe districts. Their views on Israel are distinctly at odds with the historic pro-Israel position of the Democratic Party and are far out of the mainstream of American Jewish opinion. The Jewish community will pay close attention to what the Democratic Party does about people like Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Antonio Delgado and their views. Will they be the face of the Democratic Party and the party’s new leaders in Congress?"