RJC Proudly Endorses 8 GOP US Senate Candidates in Key 2026 Races

Washington, DC (April 21, 2026) – The Republican Jewish Coalition released the following statement from National Chairman Senator Norm Coleman and CEO Matt Brooks, announcing 8 new GOP Senate endorsements for the 2026 midterm election.

We cannot allow the United States Senate to fall into the hands of Chuck Schumer and his band of radical leftists, who will obstruct and destroy our Republican-led achievements. We must defend and expand the Senate Republican majority, and the frontlines of that fight are in these eight key states. All eight of these incumbent Senators and candidates exemplify what it means to be a true conservative fighter for the American people. Each has stood firmly against the rising tide of antisemitism, in support of the US-Israel alliance, and for our shared values. The Republican Jewish Coalition knows that these leaders will deliver on the issues of primary concern to the American Jewish community, and we are proud to endorse them.

Sen. Dan Sullivan (AK) - Senator Dan Sullivan is a proven conservative who delivers for Alaska. Sullivan won his first election by defeating an incumbent Democrat and in 2020, he withstood a push by national Democrats to jump-start the campaign of an ‘independent’ candidate. This year, Democrats believe they have a recruit who’s up to the job of unseating the two-term Senator known for his focus on national security and his dedication to ensuring that Alaska’s unique needs are met: former Congresswoman Mary Peltola. Republican Senate strategists reserved $15 million in post-Labor Day TV airtime in Alaska, a clear signal that the state will be the site of one of the most hotly contested Senate races in the country. Most recently, Peltola announced raising a staggering $8.9 million in the first quarter of this year, a record for any US Senate campaign in the Last Frontier State. In what could be a challenging reelection campaign, Senator Sullivan is counting on friends in the “Lower Forty-Eight” to help him persevere against the coming avalanche of Democrat campaign spending.

Sen. Ashley Moody (FL) - Senator Ashley Moody has steadfastly demonstrated her commitment to combatting antisemitism on college campuses and supporting the vital US-Israel alliance. In March of 2025, Senator Moody introduced the RECLAIM Act which would take back federal funds from universities that allow antisemitism to spread on campus and refuse to protect Jewish students. Additionally, Senator Moody co-introduced the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act with Senator Ted Cruz, to hold the Muslim Brotherhood accountable as a despicable terrorist organization. During her short time in office representing the Sunshine State, Senator Moody has quickly proven to be a conservative fighter for the issues Floridians care deeply about, particularly while serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee, given Florida's large and proud veteran population. The RJC is proud to endorse her.

Rep. Ashley Hinson (IA) - In 2020, Ashley Hinson, a former news anchor and Republican state legislator, defeated Democrat Rep. Abby Finkenauer to flip Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District. She has since won reelection twice in this competitive district, including a 16-point victory in 2024. Hinson is now the Trump-endorsed candidate to succeed retiring Senator Joni Ernst and has built a sizable campaign war chest. The race’s competitiveness will hinge in part on the outcome of a heated Democratic primary between State Rep. Josh Turek and a more left-wing rival, State Senator Zach Wahls. A highly competitive gubernatorial contest could also shape Iowa’s electoral environment in November. With support from friends nationwide, Ashley Hinson can win and help protect the Republican Senate majority by keeping this seat red.

Mike Rogers (MI) - Long-time Democrat incumbent Gary Peters is throwing in the towel, leaving behind an open Senate seat in a very purple state - one that has supported the winner of the last five presidential elections but hasn’t elected a Republican to the Senate since 1994. Most recently: While President Trump was carrying Michigan once again in 2024, former Congressman Mike Rogers fell just a few thousand votes short of victory against Elissa Slotkin in that year’s Senate race. After securing President Trump’s endorsement in the 2026 race, Mike Rogers cleared the GOP field. On the Democrat side, radical terrorist-apologist Abdul El-Sayed is shaking up the race with support from Bernie Sanders and AOC - leaving his two more establishment rivals looking lost. It’s a stark contrast with Mike Rogers, a veteran who was an FBI agent before entering politics. Rogers currently has the best opportunity on the map to flip a Senate seat from blue to red. 

Kurt Alme (MT) - Senator Steve Daines’ last-minute exit from the Montana Senate race cleared the Republican field for Kurt Alme in this now-open contest. A Montana native, Alme offers a strong record of public service, having served as U.S. Attorney during both Trump terms and with experience leading Montana’s Department of Revenue, as well as Gov. Greg Gianforte’s budget office. He also begins with critical support, including endorsements from President Trump, Gov. Gianforte, and both of Montana’s U.S. senators. Alme is well positioned, with no clear leader in a weak Democratic primary field. But the race could become more competitive if independent candidate and University of Montana President Seth Bodnar, or one of the Democrats, can build a viable campaign. If this race tightens, Alme will need the resources to respond quickly and hold this seat. 

Michael Whatley (NC) - With the retirement of longtime Senator Thom Tillis, North Carolina’s open Senate seat will undoubtedly be one of the most competitive and expensive general elections in the country. Republicans have continued to win Senate races in North Carolina, albeit by the slimmest of margins: 3% in 2024, 3% in 2022, and 1% in 2020—and 2026 will be no different. Republicans have rallied around GOP Chairman Michael Whatley, who has played a key role in strengthening the relationship between the Republican Party and the Jewish community. In particular, following the October 7th terror attacks in Israel, Whatley was outspoken in his support for our greatest ally, forcefully condemned Hamas terrorism, and reaffirmed the Republican Party’s unwavering backing of Israel’s right to defend itself. In an op-ed, Whatley wrote that "Israel is one of America’s closest allies. But this special alliance is far more than geopolitical, more than cultural – it’s moral.” We couldn’t agree more. Notably, Whatley raised an impressive $5 million dollars in the first quarter of this year, only to have national Democrats pour $13.8 million into Democrat opponent Roy Cooper’s coffers over the same time frame. Chairman Whatley will fight for North Carolina families by lowering taxes and making life more affordable, protecting communities from violent crime, and restoring the American Dream—and he will need all of our help to win this hyper-competitive campaign.

Sen. Pete Ricketts (NE) - Since taking office, Senator Pete Ricketts has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the US-Israel alliance, supporting the Jewish community, and the fight against antisemitism. He has backed his words with action by introducing numerous pieces of important legislation, including the Stop Support for Hamas Act, and co-sponsoring the Antisemitism Awareness Act and the Stand with Israel Act. Senator Ricketts has also been a vocal critic of the United Nations’s anti-Israel bias and has stood against the antisemitic BDS movement. His opponent in the Cornhusker State is self-described “independent” Dan Osborn, who lost the US Senate race in Nebraska in 2024 to Senator Fischer by a closer-than-expected 6.5% margin. Osborn has a deeply troubling history of associations with groups that perpetuate antisemitism and anti-Israel activism, including a PAC that opposes the IHRA definition of antisemitism and has accused Israel of genocide. Senator Ricketts has earned our support, and now it’s our turn to stand with him. 

Sen. Jon Husted (OH) - In 2024, Ohio hosted the nation’s most expensive Senate race - one in which political novice Bernie Moreno dealt long-time Democrat Senator Sherrod Brown a humbling defeat. This year, Jon Husted, appointed to fill the seat after JD Vance resigned to serve as Vice President, will be squaring off with now-former Senator Brown. Husted has served Ohioans in a number of notable leadership roles, but given Brown’s five decades as a champion for extremely liberal public policy, this could be the rare race where the challenger is better known to voters than the incumbent. With robust support from conservatives nation-wide who understand the importance of holding this seat, Husted can defeat Chuck Schumer’s top recruit. Jewish voters in particular will notice the difference between the incumbent Husted, a long-time school choice supporter who led the fight in the state legislature to establish Ohio’s innovative education tax credit, and Brown, who consistently stands against Jewish Americans and was known as one of J Street’s favorite Senators.