Steve Kagen

WI-08 (Map)

Congressman Steve Kagen is in a close rematch race in the 8th Congressional District of Wisconsin against Republican Speaker of the State Assembly John Gard. Throughout the 110th Congress, Kagen has consistently supported a strong US-Israel relationship. He understands that the Israel’s continued security is imperative for the stability of the region and would not be possible without the support of her friend and ally the United States and that the US must stand behind Israel as she makes necessary decisions to secure her citizens. Kagen also believes that we cannot take our eye off of the threat presented by Iran’s nuclear capabilities and that Iran must suspend its enrichment activities. Congressman Kagen is a cosponsor of the Iran Counter Proliferation Act and believes that we must have more effective sanctions against Iran. Kagen’s commitment to Israel makes this seat a crucial vote in strengthening the Democratic Majority and this race is a top priority of the House Leadership.

Mark Udall

CO-Sen (Map)

Mark Udall has represented Colorado’s second Congressional District since 1998, and he is running for the open seat in the US Senate. Udall is passionate about the issue of energy development and has long been an advocate of renewable energy. In Congress, Udall concentrates much of his time to the issue of energy development because he believes that issue that represents security, prosperity, and environmental quality. Udall states that he has an unshakable belief in the right of every human being to be treated equally regardless of race, ethnic background, religious faith, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. He also believes that women’s reproductive rights are constitutional rights that cannot be compromised.

Al Franken

MN-Sen (Map)

Franken, best known for his comedic years on Saturday Night Live, has in recent years been a tireless progressive voice championing “Wellstonian” politics. Unlike positions taken by his opponent, Senator Norm Coleman, Franken supports women’s reproductive rights and immediate withdrawal of the US military from Iraq. Franken is also a strong supporter of the environment, unlike Senator Coleman who received a 21% ranking from the League of Conservation Voters.
This is one of the premier Senate races of the year and one of the Democrat’s best chances for a pick up seat. Senator Coleman was elected in 2002 in the wake of the tragic plane accident that took Senator Wellstone’s life. With your help we can return Wellstone’s seat to a candidate with progressive values, by electing Al Franken to the US Senate.

Mark Warner

VA-Sen (Map)

• Running for the open Virginia Senate seat, Mark Warner served as governor of Virginia from 2002 until January 2006. His administration inherited $6 billion in budget shortfalls, and ended with a surplus. Virginia was rated “the best managed state in the nation” in January 2005 after a 2-year study by the Pew Charitable Trust. Warner believes that we must invest in renewable energy and eliminate our dependence on foreign oil and supports the Roe v. Wade decision that protects a woman’s right to choose. He vows to oppose all efforts to chip away at that right. He is a strong supporter of Israel and when Hezbollah captured Israeli soldiers he stated that he “Stands with Israel”. (Jul 2006)

Kay Hagan

NC-Sen (Map)

State Senator Kay Hagan is challenging Elizabeth Dole for the US Senate seat from North Carolina. Hagan believes that when it comes to our economy, our environment, and our national security, energy is one of the most important issues we face as a nation and as a community and that we need an energy policy that reduces our dependence on foreign oil, creates new jobs, and dramatically reduces the effects of global climate change. Hagan’s ten year experience in the State Senate will serve our nation well as she helped create innovative tools for economic development, invested in technology and infrastructure, voted to pass some of the nation’s toughest predatory lending laws, and stepped up to make sure the gaps in underfunded federal homeland security and law enforcement programs were filled.

Jeanne Shaheen

NH-Sen (Map)

In 1996, Jeanne Shaheen was elected the first woman governor of New Hampshire. Now she is challenging John Sununu for the Senate Seat. A passionate supporter of women’s rights, Shaheen vows to confirm justices to the Supreme Court who will uphold the right to privacy enshrined in our constitution. A strong supporter of Israel, Shaheen will work to end the war in Iraq and bring our troops home as responsibly and as soon as possible, begin the hard work of rebuilding our alliances, and to help fight global terrorism.

Carl Levin

MI-Sen (Map)

A champion for Israel,and a tireless advocate for strengthening our economy and protecting our environment, Senator Carl Levin is running for reelection to Michigan’s Senate seat which he has held since 1979. As Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and as an ex-officio the Senate Intelligence Committee, Carl is also a leader on issues related to the Iraq war, national and homeland security.

John Adler

NJ-03 (Map)

In one of the nation’s few true toss-up districts, State Senator, John Adler, is running in the open third district in New Jersey which is currently held by Representative Saxon. Long active in his local Jewish community, Adler has been named one of New Jersey’s ten best legislators by New Jersey Magazine, which called him “hardworking, incisive, and respected by both parties.” Adler’s 2006 Smoke-Free Air Act, known as the state’s foremost public health law, prohibits smoking in indoor public places and workplaces. Adler, a staunch supporter of Israel is an advocate for continuing military aid to Israel at its current historic levels. As a state senator, Adler received ratings of 100% from the Family Planning Advocates of New Jersey, the New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition and the New Jersey Public health Association.

Gabrielle Giffords

AZ-08 (Map)

Since winning her Republican leaning district in Tucson, Arizona in 2006, Giffords has been nationally targeted by the Republican Party and they have recruited the current Arizona State Senate President to try to take back the seat. Giffords was the youngest woman ever elected to the Arizona State Senate and is the only woman serving in the Arizona congressional delegation. She is one of eight Jewish women serving in the US House of Representatives. Fiscally conservative and socially liberal, Giffords has concentrated in her first term on economic, comprehensive immigration reform and environmental issues. She is strong supporter of the military but an opponent of the war in Iraq. Although, Giffords is quite popular in her district, first term members of congress are always the most vulnerable in their reelection campaigns so it is important that she have the resources to wage a strong campaign.

Dennis Shulman

NJ-05 (Map)

In addition to being a rabbi, Dennis Shulman is a practicing psychologist, educator, and author. His election would be historic as he would be the first blind member of Congress in generations and the first rabbi ever. This race igives us a real chance to knock off an incumbent who is a right wing extremist on every issue, from choice and the environment to opposing the Voting Rights Act and actively supporting proselytizing at the Air Force Academy.

Frank Lautenberg

NJ-Sen (Map)

One of 13 Jewish Senators, Senator Lautenberg has a perfect voting record supporting women’s reproductive rights, and in 2007 his voting record was rated 100% by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union . He has consistently voted to bring our troops home from Iraq and is a strong supporter of Israel. Senator Lautenberg is a co-sponsor of environmental legislation aimed to reduce global warming by decreasing U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases by 80 percent by 2050. Senator Lautenberg authored the law that prevents domestic abusers from purchasing handguns which has blocked over 150,000 attempted gun purchases by people with domestic abuse convictions

National Jewish Democratic Council PAC

Repairing the world, one election at a time, the National Jewish Democratic PAC supports Democratic candidates for federal office who encourage continued United States’ support for the state of Israel, who stand up for the separation of church and state and who support women’s reproductive rights.

Ethan Berkowitz

AK-01 (Map)

Ethan Berkowitz served in the Alaska State Legislature for ten years. After his first term in office, he was chosen by his peers as Democratic minority leader, a position he held for eight years. He made a reputation as a strong defender of pension rights, health care and the labor movement. During his term, Berkowitz was one of 5 Jewish legislators serving in the Alaska State legislature. Berkowitz is challenging Representative Don Young.

Gary Trauner

WY-01 (Map)

Trauner ran an impressive race in 2006 and almost defeated longtime right-wing Representative Barbara Cubin. He’s in the race again – and this time the seat is open. What a great chance for a Democratic pickup.

Annette Taddeo

FL-18 (Map)

Annette Taddeo is challenging Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Ros-Lehtinen has voted with the GOP 85 percent of the time since 2001—for the surge in Iraq, against expanding children’s health insurance, and in favor of protecting oil company profits. Staunchly anti-choice, Ros-Lehtinen received a 0 percent rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America in 2007 for her votes against reproductive rights. In contrast, Taddeo is 100% pro choice, an advocate of early childhood education and children’s health coverage, and will fight to safely bring the troops home from Iraq. Raised in Columbia Taddeo is a small business owner. She was selected by the Small Business Administration as the Minority Business Champion of the Year, and received the “Latina Excellence Award” from Hispanic Magazine. She has also been listed as one of the “Top 50 Latina Entrepreneurs in the US” by Hispanic Magazine. Annette and her husband belong to Beth David Congregation and live in Pinecrest, Florida.

Dan Seals

IL-10 (Map)

Dan Seals is challenging Mark Kirk in Illinois’ 10th district. Seals, like Kirk, is a strong supporter of Israel, but they differ on many other important issues. While Kirk voted to subsidize the big oil companies with billions of tax dollars, Seals argues that we should invest tax dollars to develop alternative and renewable technology and fuels to strengthen our national security by lessening our dependence on oil. Seals is 100% pro-choice. Kirk, on the other hand while claiming to support abortion rights, was an early supporter of John McCain for President who has a 0% rating from NARAL and who would nominate judges to the Supreme Court who would reverse Roe v. Wade.

Suzanne Kosmas

FL-24 (Map)

Suzanne Kosmas was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1996 and was re-elected three times, serving four consecutive terms before being term-limited. She is challenging Rep. Tom Feeney. She is running to change direction in Iraq and bring the troops home, balancing the budget and reigning in wasteful spending, and make America energy independent. She is strongly pro-choice, unlike Representative Feeney who has scored a 0% from NARAL Pro-Choice America.

Gary Peters

MI-09 (Map)

Gary Peters, who is challenging Joe Knollenberg in Michigan’s 9th district is a two term Michigan state senator where he built a strong reputation for fiscal responsibility and effective bipartisan leadership. He has worked to cut taxes for middle class families, and, on his very first day in the Michigan Senate in 1995, introduced three bills to cut taxes for middle class families and three bills to improve children’s health care. He was elected by his colleagues to serve as the Chairman of the Senate Democratic caucus and has had more of his bills signed into law than any other Democratic Senator. Peters has the endorsements of groups such as Clean Water Action, League of Conservation Voters ,Planned Parenthood, ,NARAL, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and the Sierra Club. Peters is a strong supporter of Israel.

Joshua Segall

AL-03 (Map)

This 29 year old, Jewish lawyer is making quite a splash in his run for this Montgomery, Alabama seat challenging Mike Rogers. This is a historically Democratic district with the third highest African American population in the country for any district currently held by a Republican. Segall’s strong race has caught the attention of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee which has labeled it an “emerging race” to watch. A fierce champion for American workers, pro choice as well as fiscally conservative,
Segall is campaigning on what he terms “bread and butter” economic issues. Segall has alarmed the Republican party by out-raising the incumbent, so we know that he will need to continue to raise the funds to successfully take this seat.

Hank Eng

CO-06 (Map)

Hank Eng is the only Chinese-American Jewish congressional candidate in 2008. Eng is running in the open 6th District of Colorado for the U.S House of Representatives. While serving as an engineer in China between 1994 and 2000 End “discovered the Jewish tradition at the growing community in Beijing, and I decided to do what Jews do – to make the world better.” He is running on the issues of economic security and energy independence. Karl Rove has identified Arapahoe County, contained within the 6th District, as a crucial component of an electoral win in the battleground state of Colorado. Let’s help Hank turn out the vote in this district.