Jewish Dems React to Election Outcome in NY-09
Listed in: Other Domestic Policy, NJDC News, Press Releases
WASHINGTON, DC- National Jewish Democratic Council President and CEO David A. Harris issued the following statement tonight in response to the special election results in New York’s 9th congressional district:
“Since the day seven-term House Democrat Anthony Weiner resigned in disgrace, keeping this seat in Democratic hands has been an uphill battle. The overwhelmingly unfavorable view of Mr. Weiner, the previous Democratic congressman in this district, has only hurt David Weprin’s efforts to win this election. Tonight, we saw some of the effects of that unpopularity.
One thing we know beyond the shadow of a doubt is that this election was about many things—but not Israel. As authoritative polling in the past four days demonstrated [Siena Poll, September 9, 2011], only a tiny fraction of constituents—seven percent—indicated that Middle East policy would drive their vote. Moreover, the two candidates agreed completely on Israel; both clearly supported a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, with not a bit of difference between them.
In the end, in this difficult economy, Americans—including in New York’s Ninth District—are hurting. In this atypical district, they’ve reacted atypically. After many tremendous Democratic victories in special congressional elections in recent years, tonight we unfortunately have a loss. But we look forward to many, many more victories than losses in 2012.”
