In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America. Published daily by senior writers and experts, these in-depth pieces go beyond the headlines to give readers the full picture. You can find our full list of In Focus pieces here.For decades, Jewish donors have been among the Democratic Party’s most reliable financial backers, but as the party’s divisions over Israel deepen and concerns about antisemitism mount, some longtime supporters are reconsidering where they send their political dollars.There is little evidence that Jewish donors are abandoning the Democratic Party altogether. Instead, interviews with donors, strategists, and Jewish political leaders suggest some are becoming more selective, bypassing national party committees and directing their money toward individual candidates they trust to support Israel and confront antisemitism.
“I’ve given to the DNC, the Democratic Party, all the committees for years,” one longtime Jewish Democratic donor told the Washington Examiner, speaking on the condition of anonymity to candidly discuss political giving. “But this year is the first time I am ending my donations. I’m just so worried with what I’m seeing with these extremist candidates coming out of primaries that are openly antisemitic and anti-Israel.”Instead, the donor said he plans to support moderate individual candidates, citing Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) as an example of someone he views as an ally to Israel.Michael Baer, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based independent voter and pro-Israel advocate, said that distinction is widespread among pro-Israel Democrats he engages with.“I wouldn’t give a penny to the party,” Baer said. “The only way people will regain that trust is to actually see the Democratic Party control these fringe elements that are anti-Zionist and promoting conspiracy theories and outright lies about Israel.”Baer said some longtime Democratic supporters have already stopped giving to the party, while others are waiting to see whether Democratic leaders confront what they view as an increasingly influential anti-Israel faction. Even so, Baer said abandoning the Democratic Party altogether would be a mistake.“The most important message right now for pro-Israel Jews is don’t give up on the Democratic Party yet,” he said. “It’s too early to surrender and run away.”That donor pullback comes as the Democratic National Committee grapples with mounting financial strains ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Recent Federal Election Commission filings show the Republican National Committee reported roughly $129 million in cash on hand, while the DNC carried a negative balance after taking out a $15 million line of credit backed by its Washington headquarters. The committee remains roughly $2 million in debt, with Republicans also maintaining cash advantages at both the House and Senate campaign committees.DNC Chairman Ken Martin has defended the committee’s balance sheet as a deliberate strategy. In a Substack post, Martin wrote that Democrats made a “conscious decision” to invest in “electoral assets” rather than stockpiling cash. He added that the DNC has performed “exceptionally better with high-net-worth donors” than at comparable points in prior election cycles, arguing its success should be measured by “power built, not simply dollars retained.”That defense is echoed by some prominent Jewish party leaders who continue to invest heavily in the DNC. Lazar Palnick, a DNC and National Finance Committee member, wrote to the Washington Examiner that he recently wrote a check to max out his personal contribution to the DNC’s general fund.“As a proud Jewish American, DNC Member, and National Finance Committee Member, I can say with confidence that the DNC has strong support among the Jewish community,” Palnick said, speaking in his personal capacity. “While our party is working through some complex policy issues, the reality is that Democrats are the only party that are fighting for a better, more just, and more equal America, values deeply aligned with Judaism.”Directing dollars to candidates, not the party
