With the Maryland primary now complete, November elections are sneaking up.
For many Jewish and non-Jewish voters, it is important to know where each candidate stands on Israel. While public support for Israel has shifted, the topic has always held weight in political debates.
In an article titled “A Look At Key Races” from the July 9, 1982, issue of Baltimore Jewish Times, writer Morris J. Amitay wrote, “With less than four months to go before the November federal elections, it is important to remember that support for Israel in the U.S. Congress will remain a crucial factor in American foreign policy …”
That statement is as true today as it was more than 40 years ago.
Maryland’s 2026 primary elections took place June 23. Among the contests in the spotlight was the race to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, who has represented Maryland’s 5th Congressional District for 45 years.
A staunch supporter of Israel who has taken a public stance against antisemitism for years, Hoyer endorsed Adrian Boafo, his former campaign manager, to fill the seat. Boafo faced off against two dozen candidates. Winning more than 32% of the vote, Boafo is set to face Chris Chaffee as the Democratic Party’s nominee in November.
The general election will take place Nov. 3. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 33 seats in the U.S. Senate are up for election. Currently, Republicans control both chambers with a 53-45 majority in the Senate with two Independents, and a 218-212 majority in the House, with one Independent and four vacancies.
In 1982, Amitay touched on eight Senate races; Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana and Maine.
“The Connecticut Senate race is shaping up as one of the most crucial races nationwide,” Amitay wrote. “Incumbent Republican Senator Lowell Weicker is running for a third term and is drawing challenges from within his own party and the Democratic party. Weicker, who has had a consistent and outspoken record of strong support for Israel, is being challenged by Prescott Bush, brother of V.P. George Bush, for GOP nomination and Rep. Toby Moffett (D) in the general election.”
Weicker was reelected.
In Delaware in 1982, Amitay wrote, “Incumbent Republican Senator William Roth is running for a third term and is favored to retain his seat over Jewish Democratic challenger David Levinson, a local real estate developer and ADL activist.”
Roth was also reelected.
mresnicow@midatlanticmedia.com
