Democratic candidates in the United States, including prominent congressman Ritchie Torres, are facing significant internal party backlash and primary challenges over their staunch support for Israel. This shift comes as American public opinion, particularly within the Democratic base, has soured dramatically following over two years of war in Gaza.
A Bronx Battleground: Affordability Versus Foreign Policy
At a campaign event in New York's Bronx borough last month, a congressional candidate directly challenged a cheering crowd, asking what would happen if American aid to Israel ended. This scene underscores a growing trend where domestic issues like the cost of living are being explicitly linked to US foreign policy in political campaigns.
The incumbent facing this scrutiny is Congressman Ritchie Torres, one of Israel's most vocal advocates in Congress. His district, New York's 15th, is frequently labelled the poorest in the nation. Yet, Torres has become a primary target for challengers who accuse him of prioritising Israeli interests over those of his constituents. Dalourny Nemorin, a public defender and Democratic challenger, has called Torres the "poster boy" for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac).
Another opponent, former state lawmaker Michael Blake, claimed in a campaign video that "Ritchie Torres cares more about Bibi than he does about the Bronx." While Torres's seat is currently considered safe due to his local popularity, the messaging from his five Democratic primary challengers highlights a profound change in the political landscape.
A National Trend: The Gaza War Reshapes US Races
This phenomenon extends far beyond the Bronx. Across the United States, a record number of candidates critical of Israel, including many of Palestinian descent, are entering races at all levels of government. They are incorporating symbols like the keffiyeh and using terms like "genocide" in their campaign materials, a stark departure from the traditionally reflexive support for Israel once seen as essential for political viability.
In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed's Senate campaign aims to replicate the success of Zohran Mamdani, whose historic election proved this new path was possible. In Georgia, Ruwa Romman, the first Palestinian-American elected to state office, is running for governor. The trend is particularly visible in New York City, where June primaries will test incumbents like Daniel Goldman and Adriano Espaillat on their pro-Israel records.
Torres has dismissed this movement, labelling the global push for Palestinian rights a "social contagion" and questioning the Gaza war's death toll. He has also accused opponents like Blake of fostering "Jew hatred" for campaign tactics, a charge Blake denies while acknowledging a misstep in using a controversial social media clip.
Linking Aid to Austerity: A New Campaign Calculus
Challengers are directly connecting US financial support for Israel to voters' material struggles. They cite the more than $21 billion in American aid sent to Israel since October 2023 alone, arguing that these funds could address pressing domestic needs. Andre Easton, an independent candidate and public school teacher, told The Guardian that Torres's stance is now a "fringe opinion," pointing to polls showing 77% of Democrats believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
This strategy mirrors that of Zohran Mamdani, who won his New York race by focusing on affordability while maintaining a clear pro-Palestinian stance. Candidates now seek to emulate this, arguing that communities can care about both kitchen-table issues and foreign policy. "What it suggests is that we are not able to walk and chew gum, that we are not able to recognize the humanity of other people," Easton said of Torres's claim that his constituents are not focused on Israel.
Despite the fierce criticism, Torres remains the favourite, bolstered by a substantial war chest. Track Aipac reports he has received $1.6 million from pro-Israel lobby groups, a fact his opponents consistently highlight. However, the political ground is shifting beneath him, as evidenced by challengers like Michael Blake, who once spoke at Aipac events but now calls Israel's actions "genocide." Blake defends his evolution, stating, "I would hope you would want to have a leader who can see new information and make a change."
The primary race for New York's 15th district has become a focal point for a national reckoning within the Democratic Party, signalling that unconditional support for Israel may no longer be an electoral asset but a growing liability.
