Election night brings big changes, questions for Jews

PROVIDENCE — Voters delivered a stunning defeat to Republicans Nov. 3, handing the House, Senate and several governorships to the Democrats, who scored victories even in states long considered deep red, leaving Democratic voters ecstatic — and many Jewish voters with questions.

Votes were still being counted, but as of press time, Democrats had flipped seven Senate seats, giving them a 54-44 majority there, with Alaska and Mississippi still too close to call. New Democratic senators were elected in Kansas, Iowa, Ohio, Texas, North and South Carolina and Maine. Texas and Iowa will have Democratic governors.

In the House, with 68 races uncalled, Democrats had a 228-139 majority, having flipped more than 30, including four in North Carolina alone.

In Rhode Island, Democrat Helena Buonanno Foulkes handily defeated her opponents, independent Ken Block and Republican Aaron Guckian, for governor. Incumbent Jack Reed did the same in his Senate race, as expected. Democratic socialist David Morales won the Providence mayoralty, and Democrat Adam Greenman — former CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, which publishes this paper — was elected mayor of Pawtucket.

For many Jews, the night was tumultuous. The controversial Abdul El-Sayed won a Senate seat in Michigan, despite allegations of antisemitism, the most recent surrounding an ad by a pro-El-Sayed PAC blaming spending on Israel for the rising cost of groceries and another, from El-Sayed’s own campaign, featuring far-right commentator Tucker Carlson. Several Democrats with views like El-Sayed’s also won House seats in Colorado, New York and elsewhere.

The research and advocacy organization Jewish Majority, citing its poll of Jewish early voters, said that 57 percent of Jews in Michigan backed El-Sayed, more than 20 percentage points less than voted for Democrat Jocelyn Benson for governor on the same ticket. Ninety-nine percent of those who voted against El-Sayed said they might have voted for a different Democrat and cited concerns about antisemitism and his position on Israel.

Question 7 in Providence, which would direct the city “to divest from countries and companies profiting from genocide, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and prolonged military occupation,” passed overwhelmingly with 75 percent of the vote. Critics say that the wording of the actual resolution — which was not printed on ballots — singles out Israel.

Steven A. Baker, president and CEO of the Alliance, which advocated a “no” vote on the measure, argued the campaign was worthwhile despite the vote’s outcome. “It was part of a broader effort to educate … about the lived experiences of many Jews, in this moment, to ensure that concerns about rising antisemitism were taken seriously, and to raise awareness about the impact of the global boycott, divestment and sanctions movement here at home,” he said in a statement.

Still, Democrats across the state and country were celebrating the election result. “As Democrats regain a majority in the House, we will fight to root out the corruption in Washington, to lower costs for the American people, to restore and expand healthcare access, and to rein in the chaos of the Trump administration,” Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., said after winning reelection. Rep. Gabe Amo, the other Rhode Island House member, also retained his seat.

Republicans, for their part, are beginning to search for answers. Vice President JD Vance said, “The main problem is that many people who voted for Trump/Vance in 2024 voted for Democrats in 2026.” He cited the war with Iran, the economy, not putting “America first” and the U.S. relationship with Israel as reasons. Other Republicans, citing polling data, have pointed to different issues, including Trump’s tariffs and militarized immigration enforcement.

The ADL said it was ready to work with both parties, but that the election season “underscored the dangers of portraying Jews as dangerous, disloyal or responsible for society’s problems, as well as the blatant fixation on and demonization of Israel.” The group urged leaders of both parties to confront antisemitism within their own ranks.

DANIEL MARGOLIS is the editor of Jewish Rhode Island.