A recent poll conducted by Manhattan Institute has been revealed Jewish support because the Democratic Party is at its lowest since the Reagan era, as Vice President Kamala Harris struggles to gather voters before the 2024 presidential election. The survey, conducted between October 5 and 9, includes a representative sample of 658 Jewish registered voters across the United States and highlights which is growing in the Jewish community about antisemitismIsrael, and other policy issues.
Declining support for Democrats among Jewish voters
As Jewish voters remained aligned with the Democratic Party, their support weakened. According to a Manhattan Institute poll, Harris is poised to perform worse among Jewish voters than any Democratic candidate since the 1980s. If the election were held today, the polls show that Harris would secure 67% of the Jewish vote, while former President Donald Trump would get 31%. This shift in support marks a significant departure from past election cycles.
Historically, Jewish voters have shown strong support for Democratic candidates. In 1992, Bill Clinton secured 80% of the Jewish vote over George Bush Sr. However, support has gradually declined; Joe Biden received 68% of the Jewish vote in 2020, while Hillary Clinton won 71% in 2016. Democrats has accelerated since October 7, 2023, a terrorist attack in Israel by Hamas.
Concerns about antisemitism in the Democratic Party
The poll’s findings show that Jewish voters are increasingly worried about the Democratic Party’s stance on antisemitism. A significant 62% of respondents expressed concern about growing antisemitism in the party. Jesse Arm, Chief of Staff at the Manhattan Institute, noted, “Many are unhappy with the Democratic Party’s tolerance of extreme voices criticizing Israel, such as labeling the country ‘genocide.’ This is evidenced by the fact that Jews almost entirely support Israel – only 5% of Jewish voters say they do not support the Jewish state.
The survey also found that Jewish voters are largely united in their support for Israel, with 86% expressing strong support for the Jewish state. “Security, Israel, and antisemitism” were identified as Harris’ weakest issues relative to Trump among Jewish voters, indicating that these topics are important in shaping Jewish voter preferences before the election.
Diverging views on the main issue
Despite the overall decline in support for the Democratic Party, Jewish voters still align with Democrats on certain issues, such as abortion. A majority of Jewish Republicans also declare themselves pro-choice. In contrast, on immigration, crime, and fiscal issues, the views of Jewish voters varied, showing a mix of moderate and conservative positions. For example, Jewish voters want more vetting in the immigration process but generally support expanding high-skilled immigration.
On crime, Jewish voters align more with Republican views, feeling that the country’s criminal justice system is not tough enough. He is also fiscally moderate, expressing concern about government spending while supporting higher taxes on the middle to high brackets.
Concerns about free speech and university policies
The poll also sheds light on Jewish voters’ perspectives on free speech and university policies. Jewish respondents expressed support for laws banning people from covering their faces in order to hide their identity in public, a stance that gained traction after incidents of anti-Israel activists terrorizing Jewish students on college campuses and targeting members of the Jewish community in the US.
In addition, Jewish voters expressed a desire for universities to be held accountable, supporting a tax on university endowments. They also expressed a preference for a color-blind society over race-conscious policies, revealing divided opinions on affirmative action and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Denomination differences among Jewish voters
The poll highlights denominational differences within the Jewish community in terms of support for Harris and Trump. Harris’ strongest support comes from Reform and unaffiliated or nondenominational Jews, who have traditionally been more aligned with progressive causes. However, his support was weaker among Conservative Jewish voters, and Orthodox Jewish voters showed a preference for Trump, leading him by 18 points.
Religious adherence also plays a role in voter choice. Among Jewish voters who attend weekly religious services, Harris leads Trump by a narrow margin of 51% to 46%. By contrast, those who never attended the service overwhelmingly supported Harris, with a 75% to 24% lead over Trump.
Info-graph via Manhattan Institute report
