July 1, 2009 6:16 PM
- Text
GOP Loses Jewish Representation in Senate
Norm Coleman (CBS)
(AP)
The defeat of incumbent Norm Coleman in the drawn-out Minnesota Senate race leaves U.S. Republicans without a Jewish senator for the first time in half a century.
Coleman's departure comes two months after the Republicans' other Jewish member, Arlen Specter, switched parties to become a Democrat. Coleman conceded his long-contested race with Democratic challenger Al Franken on Tuesday after the Minnesota Supreme Court rejected Coleman's legal challenge.
Republicans have had at least one Jewish senator since New York's Jacob Javits took office in 1957, reaching a peak of three during the mid-1980s.
In the House, Eric Cantor has risen quickly since he took office in 2001 to become the minority whip, the second-ranked House Republican. His other distinction is that, since 2003, he is the only Jewish Republican in the 435-member body. That is down from eight Jewish Republican members who served in the House during the 1990s.
There are currently 29 Democrats in the House who list their religion as Jewish. The Senate will have 13 Jewish members as of next week when Franken, Coleman's rival in Minnesota, is sworn in. That's 11 Democrats and two independents who normally vote with the Democrats.
Ira Forman, CEO of the National Jewish Democratic Council, said the sharp drop in the number of Jewish Republicans in Congress paralleled the party's shift to the right. "It's a reflection of where the Republican Party has gone," he said. "It's left the Jewish community pretty cold."
Matt Brooks, executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, said his group was not happy with the defeat of Coleman, who has worked with them as a consultant. But he disagreed with those who say the Republican Jewish movement is declining, saying "you will see and are seeing Jewish Republicans winning elections all across the country" at the state and local level.
Coleman's departure comes two months after the Republicans' other Jewish member, Arlen Specter, switched parties to become a Democrat. Coleman conceded his long-contested race with Democratic challenger Al Franken on Tuesday after the Minnesota Supreme Court rejected Coleman's legal challenge.
Republicans have had at least one Jewish senator since New York's Jacob Javits took office in 1957, reaching a peak of three during the mid-1980s.
In the House, Eric Cantor has risen quickly since he took office in 2001 to become the minority whip, the second-ranked House Republican. His other distinction is that, since 2003, he is the only Jewish Republican in the 435-member body. That is down from eight Jewish Republican members who served in the House during the 1990s.
There are currently 29 Democrats in the House who list their religion as Jewish. The Senate will have 13 Jewish members as of next week when Franken, Coleman's rival in Minnesota, is sworn in. That's 11 Democrats and two independents who normally vote with the Democrats.
Ira Forman, CEO of the National Jewish Democratic Council, said the sharp drop in the number of Jewish Republicans in Congress paralleled the party's shift to the right. "It's a reflection of where the Republican Party has gone," he said. "It's left the Jewish community pretty cold."
Matt Brooks, executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, said his group was not happy with the defeat of Coleman, who has worked with them as a consultant. But he disagreed with those who say the Republican Jewish movement is declining, saying "you will see and are seeing Jewish Republicans winning elections all across the country" at the state and local level.
Popular Now in Politics
- Santorum: Democrats are "anti-science," not me
- Does Obama elevate Earth above man?
- Santorum defends World War II 2012 election comparison
- Michelle Obama brings White House tourist to tears
- McCain: Iran "supplying arms" to Syrian regime
- Va. personhood bill sparks outrage
- Santorum rhetoric gets sharper
- Santorum attacks Obama on prenatal screening
- Santorum targets blacks in entitlement reform
- Gingrich backer Adelson plans new $10M donation
- Mitt Romney could be stripped of Maine win
- Santorum's spokeswoman retracts comment
- What Does 'GOP' Stand For?
- Santorum backer's contraception tip: Keep legs shut
- Gingrich: Michigan a must-win for Romney
- "Let Detroit Go Bankrupt" column dogs Romney
- Romney Arizona co-chair quits
Latest CBS News Headlines
on Facebook
on CBS News
- Gov't seeks smaller role for Fannie, Freddie
- Bolivia police: stranglers lured victims on buses
- Idol's Adam Lambert to sing with rock band Queen
- Pentagon: Iran's ships didn't dock in Syria
on Facebook
- Santorum: Democrats are "anti-science," not me
- Carnival/Mardi Gras 2012
- Whitney Houston memorial
- Mozart of Chess: Magnus Carlsen
on CBS News
