Kamala Harris faces lowest Jewish support since 1988

Vice President Kamala Harris's support among Jewish voters has reached its lowest level for a Democrat since the 1988 election. Recent Pew Research indicates that her support stands at 65 percent, a significant drop that reflects growing unease among Jewish voters regarding the Biden-Harris administration's approach to the ongoing Hamas/Israel conflict and the management of pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses. This decline in support mirrors historical trends, as support for Democrats among Jewish voters had previously increased into the high 70s and low 80s after the 1988 election. In the 1988 election, former Governor Michael Dukakis garnered only 64 percent of the Jewish vote, which was a low point for Democrats. The trend of diminishing support for Democratic candidates among Jewish voters has fluctuated over the years, with notable drops during the elections of 1980 and 1984. In contrast, President Joe Biden achieved 70 percent support from Jewish voters in the 2020 election, while Trump received 30 percent. The current polling indicates that Trump has gained 34 percent support among Jewish voters, which is a notable increase compared to previous elections. Historically, since 1968, an average of 71 percent of Jewish voters have supported Democratic candidates, highlighting the significance of Harris's current standing. The implications of this polling data suggest that the Biden-Harris administration may need to address the concerns of Jewish voters more effectively to regain their support ahead of the upcoming elections. The shift in voter sentiment could impact the overall electoral landscape for Democrats in 2024.