An uncomfortable question is quietly circulating among Democratic strategists and insiders: Can a Jewish candidate secure the party's presidential nomination in 2028? The query, often left unspoken, hints at a shift within the party that many are reluctant to confront directly.
The potential 2028 primary field is expected to be crowded, and several prominent contenders are Jewish. Among them are former Chicago Mayor and Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. All three have strong resumes and national profiles that would typically make them front-runners. Emanuel's deep ties to donors and party leaders, Shapiro's success in a key swing state, and Pritzker's wealth and governing record all position them as serious candidates.
However, the political landscape has changed dramatically since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. A recent Pew Research poll found that 80% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents now view Israel unfavorably, up from 53% in 2022. Among Democrats under 50, 47% hold a very unfavorable view. This surge in anti-Israel sentiment is particularly pronounced among younger voters, who provide much of the party's energy and activism.
The suspicion that Shapiro was passed over as Kamala Harris's running mate in 2024 due to his pro-Israel stance has only deepened concerns. Many believe Harris chose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in part to avoid alienating the party's growing anti-Israel wing. As Wall Street Journal columnist Matthew Continetti noted, "The question facing the Democratic primary electorate won't be whether a candidate opposes Israel but how vehemently."
This shift is ironic given that Jewish voters remain a reliably Democratic constituency. The Jewish Democratic Council of America reported that 78% of Jewish voters backed Harris in the 2024 election, compared to 22% for President Trump. But the party's increasing tolerance for anti-Israel rhetoric—and, critics argue, antisemitism—raises questions about whether Jewish candidates can compete on a level playing field.
Prominent attorney Alan Dershowitz, a lifelong Democrat, recently left the party, writing in the Wall Street Journal that "the Democratic Party has become the most anti-Israel party in U.S. history." He pointed to the party's embrace of candidates like New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and members of "the Squad," who have been sharply critical of Israel. Ocasio-Cortez's influence is particularly notable; her recent moves have signaled potential White House ambitions, reshaping the party's 2028 calculus.
Other examples include New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, both of whom have campaigned with figures who trivialize the Holocaust or praise Hamas. Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner was revealed to have worn a Nazi SS tattoo for nearly two decades before covering it up to run for office. These cases, while not representative of the party as a whole, underscore a troubling trend for many Jewish Democrats.
The growing anti-Israel bias could force Jewish voters to reconsider their loyalty. As one observer put it, the day may come when Jews ask themselves whether they can support a party whose presidential nominee cannot be someone like them. For now, the 2028 primary will serve as a test of whether the Democratic Party's inclusive rhetoric extends to its own Jewish members.
