Where Have All the Jewish Political Leaders Gone?

Today’s midterm elections, which have dominated the news for the past few months, appear to be one of the least “Jewish” election seasons in a long time. Despite a tumultuous summer in Israel, American debate related to the Middle East has focused almost exclusively on ISIS and Syria, instead of the usual spotlight on Iran and endless discussion about Israel. The most contentious legislative battles this election cycle are over health care, equal pay for women, and immigration. Quirks in the Senate election schedule have led to just two of the 12 Jewish senators on the ballot this year, Al Franken (D-MN) and Brian Schatz (D-HI), neither of whom are in danger of losing their seat. Jack Markell (D-DE), the only Jewish governor, will not be up for reelection until 2016.

It’s a change for Jewish voters who, in the last 15 years have seen Joe Lieberman (D-CT) come within a few votes of the vice-presidency; Russ Feingold (D-WI) be touted as a possible presidential candidate; Eric Cantor (R-VA) be seriously considered as a future Speaker of the House; and Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) and David Axelrod as key leaders in the White House. Now, Lieberman is retired; Feingold is working as a “special representative” to sections of Africa; Cantor, the only Jewish Republican in Congress, resigned after one of the most shocking political upsets in modern memory; and Axelrod is now a pundit for MSNBC. Rahm Emanuel is mayor of Chicago, but he’s far from the national political scene.

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From Tablet Magazine