Midterm elections reshape US politics and Israel relations

American voters cast their ballots on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in a midterm election that carries significant weight for future US-Israel relations. While Republicans currently hold the presidency and both chambers of Congress, recent polling indicates a strong likelihood that Democrats will gain control of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate.

This potential shift in power arrives at a critical moment characterized by declining public support for Israel, particularly among left-leaning voters, and a rise in antisemitism across the country. Such a change in the balance of power could weaken the traditional US backing for the Jewish state in international forums.

Jewish Americans face a complex decision in these races. Historically heavy Democratic voters must now choose between candidates who align with their domestic policy preferences but often oppose Israel, and candidates who support Israel but may have ties to figures perceived as holding antisemitic views. Republican Jewish voters encounter a similar dilemma, weighing support for Israel against associations with white nationalism or other controversial alliances.

The contest for Michigan’s Senate seat has become a focal point of this tension, straining relationships between the Jewish community and the Democratic Party. The race features Abdul El-Sayed, a former county health director and Democratic nominee. His anti-corporate platform and support for Medicare for All have made him a progressive favorite, yet his uncompromising stance against Israel has raised concerns among pro-Israel groups. The AIPAC lobby has invested heavily in opposing him through both the primary and general election phases.

In Georgia, incumbent Senator Jon Ossoff leads polls against Republican Representative Mike Collins. Ossoff, a Jewish politician and potential 2028 presidential candidate, labeled Collins a notorious bigot and extremist. Collins countered that Ossoff caved to radicals by voting to pause certain arms shipments to Israel, a move that drew criticism from within Ossoff’s own support base.

Maine voters are deciding between Democratic candidate Troy Jackson and Republican incumbent Susan Collins. Jackson, a former state Senate leader, criticizes the US for giving Israel a blank check and has accused the nation of committing genocide in Gaza. Collins, who has held her seat for 29 years, is a moderate Republican known for her long-standing support of Israel.

Florida presents another tight race, where Democrat Angie Nixon is challenging Republican Senator Ashley Moody. Nixon, a democratic socialist and state representative, campaigned alongside Bernie Sanders and Barack Obama. Moody, appointed to the Senate in January 2025 after Marco Rubio became secretary of state, is a staunch Israel supporter endorsed by AIPAC and President Donald Trump. She has stated her goal to make the US the most pro-Israel country in the world.

In Texas, progressive Democrat James Talarico is keeping the Senate race competitive against Republican Ken Paxton. Paxton, a former state Attorney General who was acquitted of impeachment charges in 2023, is a hardline ally of President Trump and a strong supporter of Israel. Talarico, a Presbyterian seminary student, supports US defensive aid for Israel but opposes the transfer of offensive weapons, while also condemning the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.