David Friedman, the United States Ambassador to Israel under the Trump administration, announced on July 19 that he is endorsing 25-year-old Matthew Foldi, a former conservative journalist, in a Maryland congressional primary.
In a statement shared with the Journal, Friedman said: “Very few people have Matthew’s keen awareness of the issues that are critical to America’s national security. Matthew understands the benefit the Abraham Accords have had for world peace as well as the threats that continue to persist in the Middle East. He also recognizes the existential threat posed by enemies like Iran. He will make a fantastic Congressman.”
Foldi is running in Maryland’s 6th congressional district, which is currently held by incumbent Representative David Trone (D-MD). In the primary, Foldi is pitted against State House of Delegates Representative Neil Parrott, who lost to Trone by 20 points in 2020 in the district, though it has since been redistricted, according to Politico. The election is being held on July 19.
Jewish Insider (JI) published a July 18 profile on Foldi, highlighting the former Washington Free Beacon reporter’s Jewish upbringing and his work for his aunt Caroline Glick’s 2019 Knesset bid, though she ultimately did not win. Foldi also recounted attending a 2014 pro-Palestinian protest in front of the White House wearing an Israeli flag around his neck, which a protester tore off. “I hadn’t realized that earlier in the day, the police had actually asked this very small group of pro-Israel counter-protesters to leave for their own safety,” Foldi told JI. “I think it’s very important for Jewish students, and any student of any political or religious affiliation, to know that they can enter the public square in colleges and high schools and not have to fear for their life.”
Foldi believes that the establishment of a Palestinian state in a two-state solution would “split Israel and make it easy to bifurcate the country and destroy it” and vowed to fight the Biden administration’s efforts to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal if elected, per the JI profile. JI did note that Trone “is known to be one of the most reliable backers of Israel in the Democratic Party. Before coming to Congress, he donated upwards of $100,000 annually to AIPAC, and claims his business is the largest retailer of Israeli wine in the U.S.—including wines from the West Bank, which Trone sells as an illustration of his opposition to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.” Additionally, Trone’s wife is Jewish and they provided their children with a Jewish upbringing, per JI.
Other notable figures who have endorsed Foldi include Republican Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Donald Trump, Jr. and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. If elected, Foldi would be the youngest member of Congress.
The polls close in Maryland at 8 pm EST.
