Doug Emhoff questions Jewish voters for Trump: ‘He does not care about us’

Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, says he’s finding it harder to understand why any Jews are voting for Donald Trump in the upcoming election.

“It’s so vexing to me that any Jew supports him,” Mr. Emhoff said at a Jewish voter rally in Southfield, Michigan.

As both campaigns scramble to win over Jewish voters in these decisive final weeks, their outreach has reached a fever pitch.

The second gentleman has been on the campaign trail stumping for Ms. Harris since she became the Democratic nominee this summer.

On Sunday, he cited Mr. Trump’s record of controversial statements and his 2022 dinner with alt-right commentator Nick Fuentes as key concerns to Jewish voters.

“He foments antisemitism everywhere he goes. He does not care about us,” said Mr. Emhoff, who is Jewish.

Indeed, polling data shows a shift in Jewish voting preference. A new Forward poll reveals that 31% of Jewish voters plan to support Mr. Trump in November, while 62% back Ms. Harris.

A 62-31 gap might seem like a lopsided advantage for the Democrats, but it’s a noticeable dip for a party that has been overwhelmingly supported by Jews in the past and needs such overwhelming support to cobble together a winning coalition.

Earlier this year, 67% of Jewish voters said they would vote for President Biden, according to data from the Jewish Electorate Institute.

Only twice since 1988 has a Republican presidential candidate topped 25% of the Jewish vote.

Mr. Emhoff’s Sunday event featured a mix of voter outreach activities, including get-out-the-vote calls and canvassing signups, along with a “Kamala(t) Shabbat” initiative to engage younger Jewish voters.

In his speech, the second gentleman also hit on key Democratic priorities such as defending democracy and abortion rights.

A Nishma Research survey says Ms. Harris’s popularity is low with one particular group of Jews: the Orthodox. In fact, 77% of Orthodox Jews favor Mr. Trump — a position largely driven by his favorable stance on Israel, religious freedom and concerns over antisemitism elsewhere in the Democratic coalition.

Jewish voters may be a small fraction of the electorate in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, but their effect in these “blue wall” states could prove to be outsized. In such hyper-close contests, even a slight shift in their support could become a game-changer.

The Harris and Trump campaigns are pulling out all the stops to appeal to this voting bloc in these critical battlegrounds.

Earlier Sunday, the Harris campaign hosted a more intimate Jewish affair at a private Michigan home nearby. This smaller gathering featured Rep. Ritchie Torres, a New York Democrat whose mission was clear: Persuade the 85 or so attendees that Ms. Harris is not only a staunch ally of Israel but the candidate they should trust, the Forward reported.

Since her campaign kicked off, Mr. Emhoff has played a central role to Ms. Harris’ outreach, often highlighting her administration’s efforts to combat antisemitism.

Meanwhile, Mr. Trump’s camp is focusing heavily on his pro-Israel record, including his historic peace deals with several Arab nations under the Abraham Accords.

Last month, Mr. Trump promised Jews to be their “defender, your protector, and the best friend Jewish Americans have ever had in the White House.”

The Republican Jewish Coalition has also launched new ads featuring Jewish voters who argue they feel safer under Mr. Trump’s leadership.