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 Janna Berk, JACPACPresidentWith a consequential midterm election taking place in less than one month, I ask you to consider what responsibility you are willing to assume in contributing to the outcome of this election. While casting our own votes on November 4th is key, there is much more to be done in terms of having a decisive impact on election results. The Jewish community has always met the obligation by turning out in high numbers. This year it is critical we once again make our voices heard.
It is a reality that lower voter turn-out in midterm elections could negatively impact JAC-supported
candidates. Brown University researcher Brian Knight recently noted "if 2014 follows this trend, Democrats are almost certain to lose seats in the House and Senate this November, and many pollsters predict as much." Historically, the President's party has lost seats in 40 of 43 midterm elections. Don't we owe it to ourselves to be proactive in seeking to inspire and motivate our friends, neighbors and family to get to the polls? Take a few minutes to post on Facebook and Twitter. Volunteer to canvas and get out the vote. Share JAC email alerts. Educate others about what's at stake. Give them a compelling reason to cast their vote. Let's not be fooled. . . voter suppression is only one reason that people don't vote; apathy and disillusionment with politics in this country constitute a much graver impediment to our ability to advance our agenda.
In terms of the issues, you're all aware of what we stand to lose in this election. Likewise, there is so much to gain if we can increase voter turnout. This month's NewsBreak highlights the toss-up races that will likely determine the make-up of Congress. Help us support these pro-Israel and pro-choice candidates, and do your part to get everyone to the polls on November 4th.
Janna Berk
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JAC NewsBreak is a monthly publication of JACPAC.
Writers: Dana Gordon, Joy Malkus, Hollis WeinPresident: Janna BerkExecutive Director: Marcia Balonick847.433.5999
847.433.6194 (fax)
info@jacpac.org
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 ELECTIONS MATTER |
Help JAC elect candidates who support our issues:
* U.S.-Israel Relationship * Reproductive Rights
* Separation of Religion & State
Join or Renew your
JAC Membership today!
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The 2014 midterm elections are upon us and the results will have lasting effects on the issues important to JAC members. The Senate could flip from pro-choice to anti-choice as we defend several seats in competitive states. The House could move further to the right, and its leaders promise to introduce bills which are even more anti-choice, more anti-environment, and that continue to blur the lines of separation of religion and state. There are many bills that are of the utmost importance to the Jewish community and this election will determine if they will become law. The Supreme Court may be in play. This is no time to sit back and lament the state of politics. This is the time to get fired up and make a difference.
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These senate races are all too close to call. Last minute contributions to their campaigns or to JAC could be the difference between victory and defeat. Click on the link by each candidate below to make contributions and make a difference. ELECTIONS MATTER.
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ALASKA
Mark Begich - D
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Senator Mark Begich is running for reelection against former Alaska Attorney General Dan Sullivan. Begich is 100% pro-Israel and is a strong supporter of the Iron Dome funding. Begich is 100% pro-choice. His opponent, Sullivan, has said he personally opposes abortion, even in cases of rape, incest or when the woman's life is at risk. Sullivan also supports the Hobby Lobby decision and legislation that would cut off funding for Planned Parenthood. This race is a toss-up. |
ARKANSAS
Mark Pryor - D
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Senator Mark Pryor is running for reelection against rising star U.S. Representative Tom Cotton. This tight contest pitting a moderate against an extreme right-wing candidate will help to determine the direction of the next Senate. Cotton is 100% anti-choice and his views are 100% anti-women. Pryor has been a good vote on VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) and has worked to protect women in the military. Pryor is 100% in support of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. This race is a toss-up. Donate to Mark Pryor for US Senate |
COLORADO
Mark Udall - D
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Senator Mark Udall is a progressive with a perfect record on Israel, choice, the environment, and gun safety legislation. Udall co-sponsored the "Not My Boss' Business" bill and supported the vote on background checks for gun purchases. He strongly supports Israel's right to self-defense. His opponent, U.S. Representative Cory Gardner (CO-4), is extremely anti-choice and is a sponsor of a personhood bill in Congress that would deny all abortions and most forms of contraception. Colorado has become a truly purple state - this race is a toss-up. Donate to Udall for Colorado |
IOWA
Bruce Braley - D
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Representative Bruce Braley is running for the seat of retiring Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA). Braley has been an excellent vote on JAC issues during his years in the House. He is an outspoken advocate for the U.S.-Israel relationship and women's reproductive rights. He favors common sense gun legislation and environmental measures. His opponent, state Senator Joni Ernst, is known as the "Sarah Palin of Iowa." She is 100% anti-choice, believing that life begins at conception, and would outlaw abortion in the U.S. This race is a toss-up.Donate to Braley for Iowa |
GEORGIA
Michelle Nunn - D
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Michelle Nunn, daughter of former Senator Sam Nunn, CEO of Points of Lights non-profit, is running against political newcomer David Perdue, the former CEO of Reebok and Dollar General. They are running for the seat of retiring GOP Senator Saxby Chambliss. Michelle Nunn is excellent on our issues and has run a very strong campaign. Purdue is anti-choice and also opposes gay marriage. This race is a toss-up. Donate to Nunn for Senate
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KENTUCKY
Alison Lundergan Grimes - D
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Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes is a rising Democratic star trying to unseat the powerful Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell. Grimes, 34, is running a very strong race against the incumbent. JAC is in this race and has been very impressed with Grimes. Her position papers are perfect on our issues and she is a strong voice for women against the anti-choice McConnell. This race is a toss-up. Donate to Alison for Kentucky |
LOUISIANA
Mary Landrieu - D
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Senator Mary Landrieu was first elected in 1996 and faces U.S. Representative Bill Cassidy (LA-6) in her reelection race that will most likely lead to a run-off if no candidate receives over 50% of the vote. Landrieu has been a strong supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship and introduced the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Enhancement Bill. She supports women's reproductive rights and access to birth control. Landrieu is a good friend to JAC. This race is a
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MICHIGAN
Gary Peters - D
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Representative Gary Peters is running for the Senate seat of retiring Michigan Senator and longtime JAC friend Carl Levin against Michigan's former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. Peters has been a great friend to our Detroit membership and has been a perfect vote on all of JAC's issues. Land is extremely anti-choice, against abortion even in cases of rape. A beneficiary of the Koch brother's contributions, her campaign targeted Rep. Peters' teen-aged daughters in a vile ad. She is also against equal pay for women and would vote against many of the issues the Jewish community cares about. This race is a toss-up. Donate to Peters for Michigan |
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Jeanne Shaheen - D
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Senator Jeanne Shaheen is running for reelection against former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown. Shaheen is one of the country's most active leaders on reproductive rights and women's
rights issues. She has been a co-sponsor on every important bill protecting women while serving in the Senate. She is a strong supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Brown supports many
reproductive restrictions and has avoided discussing contraception access during each election. This race is a toss-up. Donate to Shaheen for Senate |
NORTH CAROLINA
Kay Hagan - D
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Senator Kay Hagan is in a tough re-election race in North Carolina against the very right-wing state Speaker of the House, Thom Tillis. Hagan has been a perfect vote on the U.S.-Israel relationship, including funding for the Iron Dome Defense System and supporting Israel's right to self-defense. She is a powerful voice for women's reproductive rights and equal pay for women. Tillis is extremely anti-choice in all situations. Hagan voted for background checks, while Tillis voted to allow guns in bars, parks, churches and schools. Hagan is the right choice for the Senate. This race is a toss-up. Donate to Hagan for US Senate | |
MINNESOTA
OREGON
VIRGINIA
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 JAC is involved in many House races across the country. We are highlighting 11 of the tightest races. Although every seat is up for reelection, most seats are safe for the current party due to gerrymandering. JAC's issues are at stake. The current Congress voted to shut down the government in 2013, costing taxpayers billions of dollars. They passed many dangerous anti-choice bills that were fortunately stopped by the Senate. Be aware of who is running in your district as well as those JAC-supported candidates around the country that need your financial support.
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ARIZONA 2
Ron Barber - D
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Ron Barber is running for reelection after taking over Rep. Gabby Giffords seat in 2012. He was one of the victims in the Giffords shooting. He has been a great vote on JAC issues and is facing GOP candidate and former Air Force pilot Martha McSally. This is a tough race focusing on guns, the military and border security. This race is a toss-up. Donate to Ron Barber for Congress
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CALIFORNIA 7
Ami Bera - D
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A first-term congressman, Ami Bera has been a good vote on JAC's issues. As a physician, he is a strong proponent of women's reproductive rights, and was a co-sponsor of the "Not My Boss' Business" bill. He represents a demographically mixed district. He will face former GOP Rep. Doug Ose, who is able to self-fund. Both sides are spending a lot of money in this toss-up race. Donate to Bera for Congress
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ILLINOIS 12
Bill Enyart - D
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Representative Enyart is considered the most vulnerable Democratic incumbent in Illinois. Enyart, a former Illinois National Guard Adjutant General, is running against GOP state Rep. Mike Bost. While it has been traditionally Democratic, this southern Illinois district represents a coal community that has become more socially conservative. This race is a pure toss-up. Donate to Enyart for Congress
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ARIZONA 1
Ann Kirkpatrick - D |
Ann Kirkpatrick is running for reelection for this rural seat that leans slightly Republican. She lost her seat in the 2010 Tea Party wave, but was reelected in 2012. A largely rural area, this district includes a diverse population, including several Native American nations. Her opponent is State House Speaker Andy Tobin. Kirkpatrick has been a good vote on JAC issues. This race is a toss-up. Donate to Kirkpatrick for Arizona
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 NEW YORK 18
Sean Patrick Maloney - D
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Representative Maloney is running for reelection against self-funder and GOP former Rep. Nan Hayworth. Maloney recently married his longtime partner, Randy Florke. He is an excellent vote on JAC's issues, spoke forcefully about the US-Israel relationship at the recent JAC Fly-In, and was a cosponsor of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization. This race will be close. Donate to Sean Patrick Maloney for Congress |
FLORIDA 18
Patrick Murphy - D
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Representative Murphy, they youngest member of the House, defeated Tea Party Congressman Allen West in 2012. He will face former state Rep. Carl Domino in this republican-leaning district. Stating that the bond between the US and Israel is a bond he will continue to defend in Congress, he also believes that efforts to "curtail the right to choose" are an "unacceptable intrusion into the private lives of American citizens. Murphy is an excellent vote on JAC's issues and has been a good friend to the JAC community. Donate to Friends of Patrick Murphy
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 MINNESOTA 8
Rick Nolan - D
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Rick Nolan is running for reelection for a seat that he held in the 1970s, before he took a 32-year hiatus from Congress. He ran again for Congress in 2012 and won in a very tight race. He faces GOP Fleet Farm executive Stewart Mills III. A supporter of the assault weapons ban and reproductive rights, Nolan has been good on JAC issues, as well as focusing on families, small businesses and the rural community. This race is a toss-up. Donate to Nolan for Congress
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 CALIFORNIA 36
Raul Ruiz - D
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Dr. Raul Ruiz is a rising star freshman running for reelection against GOP Assemblyman Brian Nestrande. The son of Mexican farmworkers, Ruiz was the first Hispanic to earn three graduate degrees from Harvard. In 2012, he defeated Representative Mary Bono Mack for this seat. He recently spoke to JAC members at our annual Washington, DC Fly-In. He is an excellent vote on our issues and a JAC favorite. Donate to Dr. Raul Ruiz for Committee for Congress
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 HAWAII 1
Mark Takai - D
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Takai won a tough primary race against the well-funded state Senate President Donna Kim, who was mixed on Choice issues. Running to fill the seat currently held by Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI), who lost a bid for the Senate, he now faces popular former Representative Charles Djou. A proponent of reproductive rights, Takai believes it is the government's job to ensure women have access to important, potentially life-saving, medical services. Hawaii has an independent streak and this race is a toss-up. Donate to Mark Takai for Congress
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 ILLINOIS 10
Brad Schneider - D
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Representative Schneider is running for reelection in a race that came down to the wire in 2012 against former Representative Bob Dold, who he defeated for this seat. Schneider has proven to be a leader among freshmen Representatives on the U.S.-Israel relationship, introducing successful bipartisan legislation concerning Hezbollah and Iran. He is a JAC member, and is supported by the Sierra Club and Planned Parenthood. This race is a toss-up. Donate to Schneider for Congress
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 FLORIDA 2
Gwen Graham - D
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Gwen Graham, daughter of former Senator Bob Graham, is running to unseat Tea Party darling Rep. Steve Southerland. Southerland's extreme views have made this seat a toss-up and in play for Democrats. His recent men-only fundraiser offended many in his district. Graham has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood and her position papers on JAC's issues are perfect. Donate to Graham for Congress
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JOIN JAC TO
GET OUT THE VOTE!
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4th
is Election Day!
Whether you want to travel or stay at home, JAC needs your help to GET OUT THE VOTE. Call the JAC office to volunteer and we will put you in touch with people who need your help around the country or right at home. Make calls, knock on doors, get people to the polls. Every vote counts and we need your help - so many races are too close to call.
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