Jewish Republicans in Congress now at 4

(JTA) – Randy Fine’s win in a Tuesday special election in Florida’s 6th Congressional District brings the number of Jewish Republicans in Congress to four.

The Associated Press declared Fine the winner with 54% of the vote 30 minutes after the polls closed, ending attention to a race that turned out to be closer than expected amid frustration with the Trump administration and an aggressive campaign by an unorthodox Democrat who far out-raised Fine.

Fine, who has fashioned himself as a MAGA-style culture warrior, attacked his opponent, a teacher named Josh Weil, over Weil’s Muslim religion and past criticism of Israel.

The Republican Jewish Coalition said the number of Jewish Republicans in Congress is unprecedented since at least the 1980s. The group said it was “gratified to have been the first organization to host a major fundraising event for Randy Fine immediately following his campaign launch.”