If you live in California, are pro-Israel, and are registered as a Republican, you are in the wrong political party. And if you vote for a Republican in California’s statewide primary in June of this year, you are making a critical error.
No, I’m not saying that the Republican Party is evil, or a party of fascists. Nor am I agreeing with President Biden when he says that the Republican Party is “undemocratic,” or wants to “subvert” elections, and that Republicans “want to be on the side of … Bull Connor [and] …. Jefferson Davis” rather than “on the side of Abraham Lincoln.”
Indeed, I’m not disparaging the Republican Party at all. I’m just being realistic.
In California, there are almost twice as many voters who identify as Democrats than Republicans. More than 10 million Californians (over 45% percent of registered voters) are Democrats; and a little more than 5 million (less than 25%) of voters) are Republicans. The remaining voters register with a third party or with “No Party Preference”. In Los Angeles the ratio is about 53% Democrat to 24% Republican. This heavily skewed ratio has the obvious result of electing Democrats. For example, Democrats have controlled the California State Senate in every year since 1992, and the State Assembly in every year since 1996. As of May 21, 2021, Democrats held a supermajority of 60 to 19 in the California State Assembly and 31 to 9 in the California State Senate.
As a consequence of California’s Open Primary rules, no matter which party you identify with, or even if you don’t identify with any party, you will receive the identical primary ballot as everyone else, with the identical candidates for Congress, as well as state-wide offices, whatever their or your party affiliation. You will be able to vote for a Democrat, a Republican, or whatever. The top two vote-getters in the primary election – regardless of party preference – move on to the general election. Given the lopsided voter registration in California, the top two vote-getters for national offices are almost certain to be Democrats.
Come November, you will have to make a choice between two Democrats for each Congressional seat as well as the Senate seat up for election.
That means that, come November, especially if you live in Los Angeles, you will have to make a choice between two Democrats for each Congressional seat as well as the Senate seat up for election.
In short, this June primary matters, and has national implications. If you care about Israel, and want to maximize the odds that you will be represented by a pro-Israel congressperson and Senator, you should vote in the June primary for the Democratic candidates who best reflect those pro-Israeli views, as it is most likely that only Democrats will make it to the November ballot.
And there is more. Not only should you vote Democratic in the June primary, but you should be a member of the Democratic Party. This is not because the California Democratic Party represents your views better than the Republican Party, but precisely because it does not. As it is said, “keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”
Progressives have come to dominate the Democratic Party at all levels. Indeed, in its most recent fundraising campaign, the California Democratic Party explicitly asks for “donations [to] build our progressive bench.” Amongst these progressives there is such a strong element that is critical of Israel that progressives who favor Israel have been given a moniker identifying their minority status: “PEP”, meaning “Progressive Except Palestine”. Within the Democratic Party, there has been a battle to eliminate PEPs – and moderates in general – from positions of power and influence.
It does no good to rail at these elements from the outside. Only as a Democrat can you influence the complexion of the Democratic Party. And since the Democrats are going to be winning elections consistently in California for many years to come, this is where those who are pro-Israel should make an effort to have a meaningful voice.
So, whether you are a Republican, an independent, or a third-party aficionado, if you support Israel your place is in the Democratic Party, and you should be voting for Democrats who are pro-Israel in California’s primaries. There is no other way for your voice to be heard and your vote to count.
Gregory Smith is an attorney in Los Angeles and occasional contributor to the Jewish Journal.
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