Democratic Majority for Israel
{{Short description|Lobbying group advocating pro-Israel policies in the United States}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Democratic Majority for Israel
| founded = {{start date and age|2019|01|29}}
| image = Logo of DMFI - Color.svg
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| status = 501(c)(4) organization
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| leader_title = President, Chief Executive Officer
| leader_name = Brian Romick
| leader_title2 = Chair
| leader_name2 = Rep. Kathy Manning
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| website = {{URL|https://demmajorityforisrael.org}}
| size = 250px
| slogan =
}}
Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI) is an American advocacy group that supports pro-Israel policies within the United States Democratic Party.
DMFI was founded in January 2019 in reaction to polling that showed that Democrats and younger voters were less supportive of Israel than previous generations. Its current president and CEO is Brian Romick, a former senior advisor to Rep. Steny Hoyer, and the Chair of its Board of Directors is former Rep. Kathy Manning. DMFI's separate sister organization is the political action committee DMFI PAC, founded in July 2019.
DMFI PAC backs candidates that support Democratic policies and defend Israel inside the Democratic Party. The PAC opposed Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Democratic presidential caucuses in Iowa, endorsed Joe Biden early in the 2020 Democratic primaries and again in 2024. After President Biden withdrew, DMFI announced its endorsement of Kamala Harris in July 2024. It has endorsed Democratic candidates in both primary and general elections across the country who align with DMFI's political stances.
History
DMFI was founded on January 29, 2019. The founding came in reaction to polling showing that Democrats and younger voters were less supportive of Israel than previous generations.{{cite news|last1=Martin|first1=Jonathan|date=January 29, 2019|title=Prominent Democrats Form Pro-Israel Group to Counter Skepticism on the Left|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/28/us/politics/democrats-israel-palestine.html}} Mellman and other Democratic Party strategists started the organization.{{cite news|last1=Akela|first1=Lacy|date=February 1, 2020|title=Centrist Democrat Mark Mellman's Pro-Israel Group Attacks Sanders|language=en|work=The Intercept|url=https://theintercept.com/2020/02/01/iowa-bernie-sanders-democratic-majority-for-israel-mark-mellman/}} In July 2019 the group formed a political action committee, DMFI PAC, which supports pro-Israel Democratic candidates.{{cite web|last=Jacobs|first=Ben|date=July 3, 2019|title=Democratic Majority for Israel to launch PAC|url=https://jewishinsider.com/2019/07/democratic-majority-for-israel-to-launch-pac/|work=Jewish Insider}}
On May 19, 2025, Brian Romick, a former senior advisor and Chief of Staff to former House Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer was named President and CEO of Democratic Majority for Israel.{{Cite web |last=Kassel |first=Matthew |date=2025-05-19 |title=DMFI announces new president and board chair following leadership shake-up |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2025/05/brian-romick-kathy-manning-democratic-majority-for-israel/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Jewish Insider |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Caygle |first=Heather |last2=Cohen |first2=Max |date=2025-05-19 |title=Top Democratic staffer to run DMFI |url=https://punchbowl.news/archive/51925-am/?card_id=15 |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Punchbowl News |language=en-US}} Former Rep. Kathy Manning also became the Chair of DMFI's Board of Directors at the same time. Romick noted that a top priority is educating lawmakers and voters on why Israel deserves their backing. Manning said she wants to prioritize flipping the House for Democrats and supporting pro-Israel candidates in open primaries.
Political activity
= 2020 campaign work =
According to DMFI, 28 of its 29 candidates won their primaries between 2020 and 2021.{{Cite news |last=Ali |first=Rozina |date=March 3, 2022 |title=What Rashida Tlaib Represents |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/03/magazine/rashida-tlaib.html |access-date=2022-03-07 |issn=0362-4331}}
In the months before the first contests in Iowa and New Hampshire in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, DMFI sent organizing staffers to identify pro-Israel Democrats, send volunteers to Democratic candidates' campaign events, and signal support for Israel.{{Cite web|last=Hanau|first=Shira|title=From Iowa To New Hampshire, Israel Policy In Play|url=https://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/from-iowa-to-new-hampshire-israel-policy-in-play/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Times of Israel|language=en-US}}
DMFI PAC endorsed Joe Biden for president in March 2020 and ran online ads supporting him.{{Cite web|date=2020-03-09|title=Pro-Israel PAC endorses Joe Biden for president|url=https://www.jns.org/pro-israel-pac-endorses-joe-biden-for-president/|access-date=2020-11-11|work=Jewish News Syndicate|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|first=Ron|last=Kampeas|date=October 5, 2020|title=Pro-Israel groups launch video ads in swing states|url=https://www.jta.org/quick-reads/pro-israel-groups-launch-video-ads-in-swing-states|access-date=2020-11-11|website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|language=en-US}} DMFI PAC endorsed more than 100 Democrats for House and Senate in the 2020 election cycle and ran attack ads opposing Bernie Sanders's candidacy during the 2020 primaries.{{cite news|author=Lisa Lerer|author2=Sydney Ember|title=Pro-Israel Democratic Super PAC to Air Attack Ads Against Bernie Sanders|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/28/us/politics/bernie-sanders-attack-ads.html|url-status=live|access-date=2020-01-30|work=The New York Times|publication-date=2020-01-28|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128225202/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/28/us/politics/bernie-sanders-attack-ads.html|archivedate=2020-01-28}} In total, the PAC spent over $1.4 million on advertising attacking Sanders.{{cite news|last1=Marans|first1=Daniel|date=May 14, 2021|title=Democrats Are Slowly Getting More Critical Of Israel|language=en|work=HuffPost|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/democratic-party-israel-palestine-shift_n_609eb6e1e4b03e1dd3899538}} The anti-Sanders advertising concentrated on arguing that Sanders would lose to Trump in the general election, including arguments about his "socialism" label and Sanders's recent heart attack.{{cite news|last1=Marans|first1=Daniel|date=January 29, 2020|title=Bernie Sanders' Electability Is On The Ballot In Iowa|language=en|work=HuffPost|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bernie-sanders-electability-iowa-caucuses_n_5e31e915c5b6fb636badf855}} The Sanders campaign said that the ads led to a surge in donations from supporters.{{cite news|last1=Ember|first1=Sydney|date=January 29, 2020|title=Super PAC Attacks Sanders in an Ad. Sanders Raises $1.3 Million in a Day.|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/29/us/politics/bernie-sanders-attack-ads.html|access-date=22 June 2021}} Journalist Jonathan S. Tobin wrote that DMFI "played a not insignificant role in helping to undermine Sanders at a point in the campaign when he was the frontrunner and Biden seemed dead in the water".{{Cite web|last=Tobin|first=Jonathan S.|title=Opinion: Biden needs the Bernie Bros. Will he give them a say in policy?|url=https://www.jns.org/opinion/biden-needs-the-bernie-bros-will-he-give-them-a-say-in-policy/|access-date=2021-12-01|work=Jewish News Syndicate|date=April 14, 2020 |language=en-US}} Political reporters Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes credited DMFI PAC's primary ads with helping Biden secure the nomination.{{Cite book|last=1. Allen 2. Parnes|first=1. Jonathan 2. Aime|title=Lucky: How Joe Biden Barely Won the Presidency|publisher=Crown|year=2021|isbn=9780525574224|location=New York City|pages=120|language=English|quote=When Biden was too low on cash to compete with the onslaught of ads from other campaigns, Unite the Country and a second group called Democratic Majority for Israel picked up some of the slack. The airtime, a stronger debate performance, and Biden's argument that Trump saw him as the toughest possible opponent combined to give the former vice president a lift of about 5 points in mid-January 2020—enough for him to retake a lead for almost two weeks.}} After his election, Biden wrote to DMFI, "I am grateful for and humbled by your statement of support for this campaign."{{Cite news|last=Goldmacher|first=Shane|date=2020-05-19|title=Biden Calls Out 'Anti-Semitism' on the Left and Criticizes Israeli Policies|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/us/politics/joe-biden-israel-anti-semitism.html|access-date=2022-02-17|issn=0362-4331}} Future United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken read the letter aloud during a virtual meeting.
In the 2020 New York House election in district 15, DMFI PAC supported incumbent Eliot Engel joining Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, and the Congressional Black Caucus's political action committee. DMFI PAC ran ads against his primary opponent, Jamaal Bowman, who won the election.{{Cite web |last=Swanson |first=Ian |date=2020-06-15 |title=Black lawmakers rally behind Engel in primary fight |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/502801-black-lawmakers-rally-behind-engel-in-primary-fight |access-date=2022-03-07 |website=TheHill |language=en}}{{Cite news|last=Barkan|first=Ross|date=2021-11-22|title=Purge at DSA: Why Are Activists Trying to Expel Representative Bowman?|language=en-US|url=https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/jamaal-bowman-dsa-israel/|access-date=2022-02-17|issn=0027-8378}}{{Cite web |last1=Caygle |first1=Heather |last2=Ferris |first2=Sarah |date=June 4, 2020 |title=Pelosi backs Engel ahead of tight New York primary |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/04/pelosi-engel-new-york-primary-301507 |access-date=2022-02-17 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Tribune|date=2020-05-28|title=Congressional Black Caucus Endorses Eliot Engel for Reelection|url=https://www.yonkerstribune.com/2020/05/congressional-black-caucus-endorses-eliot-engel-for-reelection|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Yonkers Tribune.|language=en-US}}{{cite news|last1=Levitz|first1=Eric|date=June 24, 2020|title=Engel Teaches Dems That Backing War and Apartheid Has a Downside|language=en-us|work=Intelligencer|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/06/bowman-taught-eliot-engel-a-foreign-policy-lesson.html}}{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Daniel |date=2020-07-17 |title=Jamaal Bowman wins New York primary in major victory for progressives |url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jul/17/jamaal-bowman-wins-new-york-congressional-seat-progressives |access-date=2022-02-17 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}
= 2021 campaign work =
DMFI PAC made an endorsement in the 2021 Ohio 11th congressional district special election, in which the front-running candidates were progressive former State Senator Nina Turner and more moderate Democratic county councilwoman Shontel Brown.{{cite news|last1=Kampeas|first1=Ron|date=February 16, 2021|title=Israel policy set to play a role in Ohio special congressional race|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|url=https://www.jta.org/2021/02/16/politics/israel-policy-set-to-play-a-role-in-ohio-special-congressional-race}}{{cite web|last1=Hannan|first1=Sheehan|date=February 3, 2021|title=The Race To Replace Rep. Marcia Fudge In Congress Continues|url=https://clevelandmagazine.com/in-the-cle/commentary/articles/the-race-to-replace-rep.-marcia-fudge-in-congress-continues|access-date=February 5, 2021|website=Cleveland Magazine|quote=Brown... comes from the party's more moderate wing}} The PAC endorsed Brown, citing her likely support for Israel, Turner's interest in placing conditions on U.S. aid to Israel, and Turner's lack of a statement on BDS. The endorsement came alongside other support from mainstream Democrats, including endorsements from elected officials like Representatives Jim Clyburn and Joyce Beatty.{{Cite web|last=Richardson|first=Seth A.|date=June 29, 2021|title=South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn endorses Shontel Brown for Congress|url=https://www.cleveland.com/open/2021/06/south-carolina-rep-james-clyburn-endorses-shontel-brown-for-congress.html|access-date=2022-02-17 |website=The Plain Dealer|language=en}}{{cite news|last1=Kassel|first1=Matthew|date=February 18, 2021|title=Divergent views on Israel come to light as Ohio special election heats up|work=Jewish Insider|url=https://jewishinsider.com/2021/02/israel-ohio-nina-turner-shontel-brown/|access-date=29 May 2021}}{{Cite web |last1=Mutnick |first1=Ally |last2=King |first2=Maya |last3=Caygle |first3=Heather |date=August 2, 2021 |title=Special election ignites battle over who is 'welcome' in Black caucus |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/02/ohio-special-election-nina-turner-shontel-brown-502060 |access-date=2022-02-17 |website=POLITICO |language=en}} By July 2021, DMFI had spent over $660,000 in the race.{{cite news|last1=Cunningham-Cook|first1=Matthew|date=July 16, 2021|title=Oil and Gas Heir Funding Super PAC Attacking Nina Turner|language=en|work=The Intercept|url=https://theintercept.com/2021/07/16/nina-turner-shontel-brown-dmfi/|access-date=20 July 2021}} Much of the advertising suggested that Turner was too divisive.{{cite news|last1=BeMiller|first1=Haley|date=July 15, 2021|title=This Ohio congressional race is in the national spotlight. Voters say it's more than a test for Democrats|work=The Columbus Dispatch|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/this-ohio-congressional-race-is-in-the-national-spotlight-voters-say-it-s-more-than-a-test-for-democrats/ar-AAMbwC2|access-date=20 July 2021}} In late July, DMFI released a poll of 400 likely Democratic voters that placed Brown five points behind Turner.{{cite news|last1=Manchester|first1=Julia|date=July 23, 2021|title=Shontel Brown gaining ground against Nina Turner in Ohio: poll|language=en|work=The Hill|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/564497-shontel-brown-gaining-ground-against-nina-turner-in-ohio-poll|access-date=4 August 2021}}{{cite news|last1=Kassel|first1=Matthew |date=July 23, 2021|title=New poll puts Shontel Brown within five points of Nina Turner in tightening OH-11 race|work=Jewish Insider|url=https://jewishinsider.com/2021/07/new-poll-puts-shontel-brown-within-five-points-of-nina-turner-in-tightening-oh-11-race/|access-date=4 August 2021}} Brown defeated Turner.{{Cite web|last=Mutnick|first=Ally|date=August 4, 2021|title=Establishment prevails as Brown beats Turner in Ohio special election|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/03/shontel-brown-beats-nina-turner-in-key-ohio-primary-502365|access-date=2021-08-04|website=POLITICO|language=en}} By the end of the race, DMFI PAC had spent over $1 million on television ads and over $2 million total.{{cite news|last1=Allard|first1=Sam|date=August 4, 2021|title=Shontel Brown Wins Congressional Primary to Succeed Marcia Fudge, Nina Turner Vows to Continue Fighting|language=en|work=Cleveland Scene|url=https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2021/08/04/shontel-brown-wins-congressional-primary-to-succeed-marcia-fudge-nina-turner-vows-to-continue-fighting|access-date=6 August 2021}} Journalist Daniel Marans of HuffPost said that "there's no question that DMFI played a pivotal role" in the election, which was held to replace Representative Marcia Fudge, now the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.{{Cite web|last=Klion|first=David|title=Lessons From Defeat|url=https://jewishcurrents.org/lessons-from-defeat|access-date=2021-12-01|website=Jewish Currents|language=en|date=August 6, 2021}} Jewish Insider{{'}}s Matthew Kassel called Brown's win a "major victory for DMFI."{{Cite web|last=Kassel|first=Matthew|date=August 9, 2021|title=Who's in the majority now?|url=https://jewishinsider.com/2021/08/democratic-majority-for-israel-justice-democrats-elections/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Jewish Insider|language=en-US}}
In the month before the 2020-2021 U.S. Senate special election runoff in Georgia, DMFI PAC endorsed Raphael Warnock against Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler.{{Cite web|last=Lacy|first=Akela|date=January 1, 2021|title=How Israel Attacks Drove Raphael Warnock Into the Arms of a Centrist Pro-Israel Group|url=https://theintercept.com/2021/01/01/warnock-israel-dmfi-senate/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=The Intercept|language=en-US}} Warnock thanked DMFI PAC on Twitter for its endorsement, saying he would "stand for Israel's security" and "work to strengthen the alliance between our nations".{{Cite web|title=Democratic Majority for Israel PAC endorses Raphael Warnock|url=https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/democratic-majority-for-israel-pac-endorses-raphael-warnock-651801|access-date=2022-02-17|website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US|date=December 11, 2020}} The endorsement followed DMFI PAC's earlier endorsement of Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff against Republican Senator David Perdue. Warnock and Ossoff defeated their Republican opponents in the January 5 runoffs.{{Cite web|last1=Garrison|first1=Joey|last2=King|first2=Ledyard|date=January 6, 2021|title=Democrats will control US Senate after Ossoff, Warnock win Georgia runoffs|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/01/06/jon-ossoff-raphael-warnock-win-georgia-runoffs-over-loeffler-perdue/6555393002/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}
= 2022 campaign work =
In May, DMFI PAC endorsee Representative Shontel Brown defeated former State Senator Nina Turner in Ohio's 11th Congressional District in a rematch of the previous year's special election, winning 66.3% of the vote to Turner's 33.7%.{{Cite web |last=Shapiro |first=Dmitriy |date=2022-05-05 |title=Ohio Rep. Shontel Brown repeats victory over Nina Turner in gain for pro-Israel Democrats |url=https://www.jns.org/ohio-rep-shontel-brown-repeats-victory-over-nina-turner-in-gain-for-pro-israel-democrats/ |access-date=2022-07-08 |work=Jewish News Syndicate |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=2022-05-13 |title=Ohio 11th Congressional District Primary Election Results |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/05/03/us/elections/results-ohio-us-house-district-11.html |access-date=2022-07-08 |issn=}} DMFI said it had spent more than $1 million to support Brown through independent expenditures this cycle.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-03 |title=Brown, backed by Democratic Party moderate establishment, wins Ohio rematch with progressive activist Turner |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/brown-backed-by-democratic-party-moderate-establishment-wins-ohio-rematch-with-progressive-activist-turner |access-date=2022-07-08 |website=PBS NewsHour |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-03 |title=US House rematch in Ohio between Rep. Shontel Brown and Nina Turner again tests progressive clout |url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/politics/elections/us-house-rematch-shontel-brown-nina-turner-again-tests-progressive-clout/95-eee09cab-81e0-4442-9f1d-5069bba95ab3 |access-date=2022-07-08 |website=WKYC |language=en-US}} DMFI PAC was also the largest outside spender supporting Representative Sean Casten against Representative Marie Newman in Illinois's 6th congressional district.{{Cite web |last=Ackley |first=Kate |date=2022-06-28 |title=Democrats back Casten over Newman in Illinois' 6th District |url=https://www.rollcall.com/2022/06/28/democrats-back-casten-over-newman-in-illinois-6th-district/ |access-date=2022-07-08 |website=Roll Call |language=en}} By July, it had spent over $426,000 supporting Glenn Ivey against former Representative Donna Edwards for a Maryland House seat.{{cite news |last1=Weisman |first1=Jonathan |date=July 15, 2022 |title=Democratic Primaries Are Embroiled in Debate Over Support for Israel |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/15/us/politics/aipac-israel-democrats.html}} Ivey won.{{cite news |last1=Magid |first1=Jacob |title=AIPAC-backed candidate poised to defeat J Street-endorsed rival in Democratic race |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/aipac-backed-candidate-poised-to-defeat-j-street-endorsed-rival-in-democratic-race/ |work=Times of Israel |date=July 20, 2022}} DMFI President Mark Mellman said that 85% of the candidates his organization supported in the 2022 cycle won.{{Cite web |last=Lake |first=Eli |title=Tide Turns in Favor of Pro-Israel Lobby |url=https://www.nysun.com/article/tide-turns-in-favor-of-pro-israel-lobby |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=The New York Sun |date=August 8, 2022 |language=en}}
In the 2022 U.S. Senate elections, the organization endorsed successfully reelected incumbents Catherine Cortez Masto and Raphael Warnock, and in an open race, Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman.{{Cite news |last1=Caldwell |first1=Leigh Ann |last2=Meyer |first2=Theodoric |date=July 28, 2022 |title=SCOOP — Schiff makes moves in race to replace Pelosi |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/07/28/scoop-schiff-makes-moves-race-replace-pelosi/ |access-date=September 7, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} DMFI PAC undertook several independent expenditure programs in support of Democrats against Trump-endorsed opponents. In Georgia, it ran print and digital ads in support of Warnock's campaign against Herschel Walker.{{Cite web |last=Kornbluh |first=Jacob |date=2022-11-16 |title=Democratic pro-Israel group aims to sway Jewish voters in Georgia runoff |url=https://forward.com/fast-forward/525027/democratic-jewish-voters-georgia-runoff/ |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=The Forward |language=en}} In Pennsylvania, DMFI PAC ran a program targeting Republican nominee Mehmet Oz in support of Fetterman.{{Cite news |last=Samuels |first=Ben |date=October 25, 2022 |title=Pro-Israel Groups Spend Big in Tight Senate Race Between Fetterman and Oz |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2022-10-25/ty-article/.premium/pro-israel-groups-spend-big-in-tight-senate-race-between-fetterman-and-oz/00000184-0f0c-d3cb-abec-8f8c829f0000 |access-date=2023-02-02}} DMFI PAC also ran an ad campaign targeting Madison Gesiotto Gilbert, the Republican candidate in Ohio's 13th congressional district, to support State Representative Emilia Skyes's successful general election campaign.{{Cite news |last=Samuels |first=Ben |title=From Antisemitism to Israel, What This Midterm Election Means for U.S. Jews |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2022-11-08/ty-article/.highlight/key-issues-for-u-s-jews-and-israel-in-tuesdays-midterm-elections/00000184-53f5-d842-a987-dfffbbc30000?lts=1673383144490 |access-date=2023-02-02}}
= 2023 campaign work =
In February 2023, DMFI PAC supported Jennifer McClellan in her successful campaign to become the first Black congresswoman in Virginia history after the death of Representative Donald McEachin triggered a special election.{{Cite web |last=Duster |first=Chandelis |date=2023-02-22 |title=Jennifer McClellan will win special election and become Virginia's first Black congresswoman, CNN projects |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/21/politics/jennifer-mcclellan-virginia-congress/index.html |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=DePalo |first1=Gregory Krieg |last2=Cohen |first2=Ethan |last3=Holzberg |first3=Melissa |date=2022-12-20 |title=Virginia state Sen. Jennifer McClellan could make history in special election to fill the late Rep. Donald McEachin's seat |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/20/politics/mclellan-morrissey-virginia-4th-district-congress/index.html |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=CNN |language=en}} DMFI endorsed President Biden in the 2024 presidential election shortly after he announced his candidacy.{{Cite news |last=Magid |first=Jacob |date=April 25, 2023 |title=Democratic pro-Israel group endorses Biden for president |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/democratic-pro-israel-group-endorses-biden-for-president-2/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US}}
= 2024 campaign work =
DMFI PAC announced endorsements for 81 House incumbents in December 2023, including Representatives Lizzie Fletcher, Bill Foster, and Jimmy Gomez, all of whom are facing primary challenges from Israel critics according to DMFI PAC.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-12-18 |title=Daily Kickoff: Sitdown with Suozzi |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2023/12/daily-kickoff-sitdown-with-suozzi/ |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=Jewish Insider |language=en-US}} The PAC also endorsed Representative Adam Schiff in his successful Democratic primary campaign in the Democratic primary for the 2024 United States Senate elections in California and former Representative Tom Suozzi in the special election winning bid to replace Representative George Santos in New York's 3rd congressional district after Santos' expulsion from Congress.{{Cite web |last=Kassel |first=Matthew |date=2024-01-16 |title=DMFI PAC endorses Adam Schiff in California Senate race |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2024/01/adam-schiff-democratic-majority-for-israel-california-senate/ |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=Jewish Insider |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last1=Reisman |first1=Nick |last2=Coltin |first2=Jeff |last3=Ngo |first3=Emily |date=2024-01-08 |title=Suozzi on 'clueless' calls to limit Israel aid |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-york-playbook/2024/01/08/suozzi-on-clueless-calls-to-limit-israel-aid-00134239 |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=POLITICO |language=en}} Representative Pete Aguilar, Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, released a statement praising DMFI PAC’s work in electing “more Democratic leaders that are committed to strengthening the U.S.-Israel alliance.”{{Cite web |last=Nichols |first=Hans |date=December 17, 2023 |title=Centrist Democrats plot revenge in 2024 |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/12/17/democratic-primaries-israel-aipac-squad |access-date=January 12, 2024 |website=Axios}}
In May 2024, DMFI PAC announced endorsements for several more candidates.{{Cite news |last=Fernandez |first=Madison |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Pro-Israel group rolls out battleground Democrat endorsements |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/weekly-score/2024/05/20/pro-israel-group-rolls-out-battleground-democrat-endorsements-00158836 |access-date=June 28, 2024 |work=POLITICO}} The PAC declared its support for incumbent Democratic Senators Bob Casey, Jacky Rosen, and Jon Tester, all of whom are facing competitive general election races.{{Cite news |last=Everett |first=Burgess |date=May 20, 2024 |title='Hell no': Endangered Senate Dems chafe at relentless GOP drive to tie them to Biden |url=https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/05/20/congress/pro-israel-groups-dem-battleground-endorsements-00158859 |access-date=June 28, 2024 |work=POLITICO}} Additionally, DMFI PAC is on opposing sides as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in three highly contested U.S. House races where DMFI PAC has endorsed the Democratic candidate and AIPAC has endorsed the Republican incumbent, in Pennsylvania's 10th district, and California's 22nd and 40th districts.
DMFI PAC endorsed St. Louis County prosecutor Wesley Bell and Westchester County Executive George Latimer in their successful primary challenges to two members of "The Squad," Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman.{{Cite news |last=Fernandez |first=Madison |date=April 3, 2024 |title=Pro-Israel group looks to oust 2 members of 'the Squad' |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/03/dmfi-endorsements-latimer-bell-00150357 |access-date=June 28, 2024 |work=POLITICO}} Latimer defeated Bowman by 17% of the vote, supported by advertisements run in part by DMFI PAC, while Bell defeated Bush by over 5% of the vote, also in part supported by DMFI PAC.{{Cite news |last=Samuels |first=Ben |date=June 26, 2024 |title=In Landmark Win for pro-Israel Groups, Jamaal Bowman Loses NY Primary After AIPAC's Record Spend |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2024-06-26/ty-article/.premium/in-landmark-win-for-pro-israel-groups-bowman-loses-ny-primary-after-aipacs-record-spend/00000190-51b0-ddd9-a1f1-d3f269450001 |access-date=June 28, 2024 |work=Haaretz}}{{Cite news |date=2024-08-06 |title=Missouri 1st Congressional District Primary Election Results |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/08/06/us/elections/results-missouri-us-house-1-primary.html |access-date=2024-09-25 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} A June poll commissioned by DMFI PAC showed Bush and Bell in a statistical dead heat, and DMFI's previous poll in the Latimer–Bowman primary ended up having the victory margin exactly correct.{{Cite news |last=Solender |first=Andrew |date=June 26, 2024 |title=All eyes on Cori Bush after fellow "Squad" member's ouster |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/06/27/cori-bush-jamaal-bowman-aipac-primary-israel |access-date=June 28, 2024 |work=Axios}}{{Cite news |last=Gans |first=Jared |date=June 26, 2024 |title=Cori Bush, challenger Wesley Bell locked in dead heat: Survey |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4740969-cori-bush-challenger-wesley-bell-locked-in-dead-heat-survey/ |access-date=June 28, 2024 |work=The Hill}}{{Cite web |date=June 28, 2024 |title=New York 16th Congressional District Primary Election Results |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/06/25/us/elections/results-new-york-us-house-16-primary.html |access-date=June 28, 2024 |website=The New York Times}} DMFI PAC launched broadcast and cable TV ads to support Bell in his primary against Cori Bush, and to support Yassamin Ansari, a candidate in Arizona’s 3rd congressional district.{{Cite web |last=Fuchs |first=Hailey |date=July 17, 2024 |title=A new era of profit for K-Street's Trump-connected Republicans? |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-influence/2024/07/17/a-new-era-of-profit-for-k-streets-trump-connected-republicans-00169137 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718040618/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-influence/2024/07/17/a-new-era-of-profit-for-k-streets-trump-connected-republicans-00169137 |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |access-date=July 24, 2024 |website=Politico}} Punchbowl described DMFI PAC as “putting significant resources” in the race against Bell, with DMFI President Mark Mellman saying that Bush “has been one of the most bellicose, vituperative anti-Israel figures in Congress.”{{Cite web |title=Why Democratic Majority for Israel decided to go after Bush |url=https://punchbowl.news/article/election-2024/dmfi-outside-groups-cori-bush/ |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=Punchbowl News |language=en-US}}
In response to former President Trump’s pick of Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate, DMFI President Mark Mellman said that Vance “is a far-right extremist” and pointed to Vance’s denial of the 2020 election results, support of a national abortion ban, and his vote against aid to Israel during the Israel-Hamas War.{{Cite news |last=Magid |first=Jacob |date=July 16, 2024 |title=Liberal Jewish groups blast Trump's VP pick: Vance voted against Israel aid, promoted antisemitic conspiracies |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/liberal-jewish-groups-blast-trumps-vp-pick-vance-voted-against-israel-aid-promoted-antisemitic-conspiracies/ |access-date=July 22, 2024 |work=The Times of Israel}} Mellman also emphasized Vance’s promotion of the antisemitic “Great Replacement” theory.
DMFI PAC endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris on July 22, after President Biden announced his withdrawal from the campaign.{{Cite web |last1=Stokols |first1=Eli |last2=Egan |first2=Lauren |last3=Johansen |first3=Ben |date=July 22, 2024 |title=How Joe's campaign became Kamala's |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-influence/2024/07/17/a-new-era-of-profit-for-k-streets-trump-connected-republicans-00169137 |access-date=July 24, 2024 |website=Politico}} DMFI President Mark Mellman said that Harris "helped lead the most pro-Israel administration in American history" in a statement announcing DMFI's support. The statement also noted that Harris said "support for Israel is central" to who she is when she ran for President in 2020. After the selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as Harris’s running mate, DMFI praised Walz for ordering state flags to be flown at half-mast after the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel and for his condemnation of the “horrific attacks on Israel by Hamas.”{{Cite magazine |last=Olmsted |first=Edith |date=2024-08-06 |title=Republicans Desperate to Blame "Antisemitism" for Kamala's V.P. Pick |url=https://newrepublic.com/post/184613/donald-trump-kamala-harris-tim-walz-antisemitism |access-date=2024-09-25 |magazine=The New Republic |language=en-us}} The group also cited his public call at a vigil for people who had not condemned Hamas to “reevaluate where you’re at” after the attack and his earlier praise of Israel as “our truest and closest ally in the region."
During the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, DMFI hosted a reception with several dozen Democratic elected officials.{{Cite web |last1=Mucker |first1=David M. |last2=Warren |first2=Michael |last3=Hilu |first3=Charles |last4=McCormack |first4=John |date=2024-09-25 |title=Democrats Stress Positivity and Patriotism at Convention |url=https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/dispatch-politics/democrats-stress-positivity-and-patriotism-at-convention/ |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=The Dispatch |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Freedlander |first=David |date=2024-08-23 |title=The DNC Wasn't Torn Apart Over Gaza |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/2024-dnc-chicago-israel-gaza-uncommitted-mark-mellman.html |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=New York Magazine |language=en}} The Dispatch said the event was a “celebration” for the group after a successful primary season and wrote that "the consistent theme from the slate of speakers was this: Support for Israel is entirely consistent with liberal and progressive values.” Elected speakers included Senator Ben Cardin, Governor Andy Beshear, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams, along with several U.S. House members.
In the general election, DMFI PAC launched a multi-pronged campaign in swing states to support Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign.{{Cite web |title=How Dems are going after the pro-Israel vote |url=https://punchbowl.news/article/election-2024/democrats-go-after-pro-israel-vote/ |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=Punchbowl News |language=en-US}} DMFI PAC released an ad “educating Jewish voters in swing states on Harris' pro-Israel record.”{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-10-22 |title=10/22/24 Punchbowl AM |url=https://punchbowl.news/archive/102224-am/ |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=Punchbowl News |language=en-US}} DMFI PAC also ran an ad in swing states that emphasized President Trump's ties to antisemites, citing his connections with Kanye West and Nick Fuentes.{{Cite web |last=Sarisohn |first=Hannah |date=2024-10-22 |title=Two weeks till election day: Jewish PACs roll out final campaign ads |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-825747 |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}} Another DMFI PAC ad highlighted negative comments from Trump national security personnel about President Trump’s fitness for office.{{Cite news |last=Samuels |first=Ben |date=2024-10-23 |title=Report: Trump Told Aides He Needs 'The Kind of Generals That Hitler Did' |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2024-10-23/ty-article/.premium/report-trump-told-aides-he-needs-the-kind-of-generals-that-hitler-did/00000192-b6c0-d243-a5db-fef193700000 |access-date=2024-11-06 |work=Haaretz}} DMFI’s Mark Mellman released a statement criticizing Trump for his purported statement to his Chief of Staff Mark Kelly about wanting “the kind of generals that Hitler had.”
Political positions and other activities
DMFI says it pushes for pro-Israel support among Democratic Party leadership, for autonomous Israeli defensive capacity, for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, for American global leadership, for progressive values, and for education of Democratic leadership. It says it opposes "efforts to isolate, stigmatize or delegitimize Israel".{{Cite web|title=Mission|url=https://demmajorityforisrael.org/mission/|website=Democratic Majority for Israel}}{{primary-inline|date=December 2021}} DMFI has been described as moderate and left-leaning.{{cite news |last1=Ron |first1=Kampeas |date=24 April 2020 |title=These are Biden's Jews |url=https://www.jta.org/2020/04/24/politics/these-are-bidens-jews |access-date=4 August 2021 |work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |quote=...the Democratic Majority for Israel, which is aligned with centrist pro-Israel policy...}}{{cite news |last1=Oswald |first1=Rachel |date=June 4, 2021 |title=With new Israeli government, Democrats may seek 'reset' |url=https://www.rollcall.com/2021/06/04/with-new-israeli-government-democrats-may-seek-reset/ |access-date=22 June 2021 |work=Roll Call |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Kampeas |first1=Ron |date=June 25, 2020 |title=The fallout from Eliot Engel's likely defeat and a look at other primaries |url=https://www.jta.org/2020/06/25/politics/the-fallout-from-eliot-engels-likely-defeat-and-a-look-at-other-primaries |work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}{{Cite web |last=Magid |first=Jacob |date=March 25, 2021 |title=US Democratic pro-Israel group 'appalled' by Kahanist faction's entry to Knesset |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/democratic-pro-israel-group-appalled-by-kahanist-factions-entry-into-knesset/ |access-date=2021-12-01 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US}} DMFI supports the IHRA definition of antisemitism and, before he won the presidency, called on Biden to adopt it, which he did.{{cite news|date=May 6, 2021|title=Democratic pro-Israel group exposes rift among liberals over anti-Semitism envoy|work=Jewish News Syndicate|url=https://www.jns.org/democratic-pro-israel-group-exposes-rift-among-liberals-over-anti-semitism-envoy/}}{{cite news|last1=Kampeas|first1=Ron|date=May 5, 2021|title=A Democratic pro-Israel group calls a longtime Jewish leader an enabler of antisemitism, exposing a fault line in the party|work=The Forward|url=https://forward.com/fast-forward/469006/democratic-majority-israel-nancy-kaufman/}} When the Biden White House released its National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism in May 2023, DMFI's President Mark Mellman strongly supported the plan in a statement and highlighted its inclusion of the IHRA definition.{{Cite web |last=Smilk |first=Carin M. |date=2023-05-25 |title=US Jewish groups take no time in responding to White House antisemitism plan |url=https://www.jns.org/jns/antisemitism/23/5/25/290936/ |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=Jewish News Syndicate |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Bandler |first=Aaron |date=2023-05-25 |title=Biden Administration Releases Antisemitism Plan |url=https://jewishjournal.com/news/united-states/359163/biden-administration-releases-antisemitism-plan/ |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=Jewish Journal |language=en-US}} DMFI also backed the Nita Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Fund, which is intended to promote Israeli–Palestinian dialogue and support the Palestinian economy.{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-07-05 |title=US House approves $250m for Israeli-Palestinian dialogue, business development |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-house-approves-250m-for-israeli-palestinian-dialogue-business-development/ |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Kasbari |first=Carol Daniel |date=2021-06-21 |title=The Trilemma of Power, Aid, and Peacebuilding in the Israeli-Palestinian Context |url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/trilemma-power-aid-and-peacebuilding-israeli-palestinian-context |access-date=2022-07-01 |website=Middle East Institute |language=en}} DMFI supported the Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act, which would provide Israel with $1 billion to restock its missile defense system that was depleted during the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis. It shared social media posts highlighting Democrats' support for the bill and criticized the delay of the bill by Senator Rand Paul.{{Cite web|last=Wagenheim|first=Mike|date=2022-02-03|title=Pro-Israel Democrats tout record on supporting Jewish state, urge funding for Iron Dome|url=https://www.jns.org/pro-israel-democrats-tout-record-on-supporting-jewish-state-urge-funding-for-iron-dome/|access-date=2022-02-17|work=Jewish News Syndicate|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2021-12-19|title=Sen. Rand Paul Blocks Funding for Iron Dome - Hamodia.com|url=https://hamodia.com/2021/12/19/sen-rand-paul-blocks-funding-for-iron-dome/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Hamodia|language=en}}
DMFI congratulated the incoming Lapid–Bennett government in 2021 alongside many Jewish and pro-Israel groups. It called the new coalition the "most inclusive government ever" politically, religiously, and ethnically.{{cite news|last1=Cohen|first1=Haley|last2=Nahmias|first2=Omri|date=June 14, 2021|title=US Jewish groups welcome new government in Israel|work=The Jerusalem Post|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-elections/us-jewish-groups-welcome-new-government-in-israel-670940|access-date=June 22, 2021}} In his first call after assuming office, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid spoke to DMFI, during which he emphasized reinvigorating Israel's ties with the Democratic Party.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-21|title=Lapid aims to 'reinvigorate' Israel's ties with Democrats, US liberal group|url=https://www.jns.org/lapid-aims-to-reinvigorate-israels-ties-with-democrats-us-liberal-group/|access-date=2021-12-01|work=Jewish News Syndicate|language=en-US}} After Lapid became prime minister of Israel, Haaretz noted that DMFI's president and CEO Mark Mellman was Lapid's most "significant relationship in America".{{Cite news |last=Samuels |first=Ben |date=July 7, 2022 |title=Biden Gets His Preferred Partner in Israel – at Least Until Election Day |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2022-07-07/ty-article/.premium/biden-gets-his-preferred-partner-in-israel-at-least-until-election-day/00000181-d869-dc24-a9e3-ddf9a2330000 |access-date=2023-02-02}} DMFI also joined a broad range of pro-Israel and Jewish groups in lauding Biden's nomination of Deborah Lipstadt to the post in July 2021{{Cite web|last=Magid|first=Jacob|date=July 30, 2021|title=Holocaust historian Deborah Lipstadt nominated as US antisemitism envoy|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/holocaust-historian-deborah-lipstadt-nominated-as-us-antisemitism-envoy/|access-date=2021-12-01|website=Times of Israel|language=en-US}} and urged Republican senators to stop blocking her nomination.{{Cite web|last=Shapiro|first=Dmitriy|title=Ambassador to Israel's confirmation delayed by GOP objection amid partisan rancor|url=https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/jns/ambassador-to-israel-s-confirmation-delayed-by-gop-objection-amid-partisan-rancor/article_5b61d8f2-1f69-514f-b4b5-50d2a5d1ce31.html|access-date=2021-12-01|website=Cleveland Jewish News|date=November 3, 2021 |agency=Jewish News Syndicate|language=en}}
DMFI called former president Trump's critical comments at the end of the 2022 election about the American Jewish community "insulting and ill-informed".{{Cite news |title=U.S. Jewish Orgs Slam Trump for Warning American Jews to 'Get Their Act Together' |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2022-10-16/ty-article/.premium/u-s-jewish-orgs-slam-trump-for-warning-american-jews-to-get-their-act-together/00000183-e247-dacc-a7a3-f36f5e480000 |access-date=2023-02-02}} DMFI was one of numerous organizations that called on UC Berkeley to rescind a provision that banned any speakers who support Israel or Zionism.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-10-03 |title=Exclusive: Pro-Israel Groups Release a Statement on Berkeley Controversy |url=https://jewishjournal.com/news/351954/exclusive-26-pro-israel-groups-release-a-statement-on-berkeley-controversy/ |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=Jewish Journal |language=en-US}} It also praised Hakeem Jeffries's selection as House Minority Leader.{{Cite web |last=Magid |first=Jacob |title=Pro-Israel Democrat Jeffries elected first-ever Black House minority leader |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/pro-israel-democrat-jeffries-elected-first-ever-black-house-minority-leader/ |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US}} The Times of Israel called Jeffries "one of the most pro-Israel Democrats in the House". In September 2023, DMFI praised the nomination of former Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew to serve as U.S. ambassador to Israel.{{Cite web |last=Madhani |first=Aamer |date=2023-09-05 |title=Biden nominates former Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew to serve as ambassador to Israel |url=https://apnews.com/article/jack-lew-jacob-lew-ambassador-israel-baf09923792202ac07f5a31308d4f83d |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=AP News |language=en}}
Following the October 7 attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, where Palestinian militants killed over 1,200 Israeli civilians, including women and children, and abducted around 250 civilians, including children, women and elderly people to the Gaza Strip, DMFI's President Mark Mellman noted that "the savagery of Hamas has moved the center of gravity in a pro-Israel direction" in American politics and felt that the movement of American liberals towards supporting Israel after the attack represented "a fundamental shift."{{Cite web |last=Burns |first=Alexander |date=2023-10-14 |title=The Future of Pro-Israel Politics is at Stake in Gaza |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/10/14/israel-hamas-american-public-opinion-00121542 |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}{{Cite news |title=Will Israel's agony and retribution end in chaos or stability? |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/leaders/2023/10/12/will-israels-agony-and-retribution-end-in-chaos-or-stability?itm_source=parsely-api |access-date=2023-10-21 |issn=0013-0613}} Mellman also praised Joe Biden's supportive stance towards Israel, saying that Biden demonstrated "unparalleled diplomatic competence."{{Cite news |last=Epstein |first=Reid J. |date=October 18, 2023 |title=Biden Walks a Tightrope on Israel-Gaza as Democratic Tensions Smolder |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/18/us/politics/biden-israel-gaza-war-democrats.html }}
After Donald Trump's Gaza Strip proposal, DMFI’s President Mark Mellman denounced it as “cruel, immoral, and impractical” in a statement.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-02-05 |title=‘Concern’ from some pro-Israel US groups over Trump plan for Gaza |url=https://www.jns.org/trump-remarks-cruel-immoral-impractical-pro-israel-dem-group-says/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Jewish News Syndicate |language=en-US}} DMFI also called on Republicans to disavow a Heritage Foundation plan to withdraw military for funding for Israel within 20 years, and called on Al Williams, a candidate for the Michigan Democratic Party chair position, to withdraw from the chair election because of antisemitic comments.{{Cite web |last=Rod |first=Marc |date=2025-03-14 |title=Pro-Israel Dems needle Republicans over Heritage report on Israel aid |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2025/03/pro-israel-dems-needle-republicans-over-heritage-report-on-israel-aid/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Jewish Insider |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Kassel |first=Matthew |date=2025-02-19 |title=DMFI calls on Michigan Democratic Party chair candidate to withdraw over antisemitic comments |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2025/02/dmfi-calls-on-michigan-democratic-party-chair-candidate-to-withdraw-over-antisemitic-comments/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Jewish Insider |language=en-US}}
Funders
Top donors to DMFI PAC by January 2020 included energy executive and philanthropist Stacy Schusterman, the largest single donor ($995,000), and Gary Lauder, who had donated half a million.{{Cite web|last=Cashman|first=Greer Fay|date=September 12, 2021|title=Jewish values at the core - why Stacy Schusterman gives|url=https://www.jpost.com/50-most-influential-jews/stacey-h-schusterman-678130|access-date=2022-02-17|website=The Jerusalem Post|language=en-US}}{{cite news|last1=Severns|first1=Maggie|date=January 31, 2020|title=Super PAC reveals the big donors bankrolling Biden onslaught in Iowa|language=en|work=Politico|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/31/super-pac-big-donors-biden-iowa-110081|access-date=June 12, 2021}} Donations in the third and fourth quarters of 2019 totaled nearly $2.3 million. According to FEC filings, the organization Americans for Tomorrow's Future gave DMFI PAC $100,000 in the early 2020 primary season, followed by another $400,000 on June 5 and June 10.{{cite news|last1=Rosen|first1=Armin|date=July 21, 2020|title=AIPAC-Connected Lobby Whiffs in Eliot Engel Debacle|work=Tablet Magazine|url=https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/aipac-eliot-engel|access-date=9 February 2022}}
Leadership
DMFI announced new leadership in May 2025. The current DMFI President and CEO is Brian Romick, and the Chair of the Board of Directors is former Representative Kathy Manning. Pollster Mark Mellman and other Democratic Party strategists established DMFI. Other prominent board members include Chair Emeritus Ann Lewis and Todd Richman, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Henry Cisneros, and LGBTQ rights activist Meghan Stabler.{{Cite web |date=2018-01-27 |title=HRC Gala pays tribute to Austin activist Meghan Stabler |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/hrc-gala-pays-tribute-to-austin-activist-meghan-stabler/ |access-date=2022-03-09 |website=KXAN Austin |language=en-US}}{{cite news |last1=Kamisher |first1=Eliyahu |date=July 28, 2021 |title=A multi-city ad campaign hopes to fight antisemitism with eye-catching messages. Who is JewBelong for? |work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |url=https://www.jta.org/2021/07/28/united-states/a-multi-city-ad-campaign-hopes-to-fight-antisemitism-with-eye-catching-messages-who-is-jewbelong-for |access-date=7 October 2021}}{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Philip |date=2020-02-03 |title=Democratic Party draws a line in the sand on Israel in naming platform committee |url=https://mondoweiss.net/2020/02/democratic-party-draws-a-line-in-the-sand-on-israel-in-naming-platform-committee/ |access-date=2022-02-17 |website=Mondoweiss |language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://demmajorityforisrael.org/}}
- {{ProPublicaNonprofitExplorer|833298146}}
{{Israel–United States relations}}
Category:Jewish-American political organizations
Category:Lobbying organizations in the United States
Category:2019 establishments in the United States
Category:Political organizations established in 2019
Category:501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations
Category:Democratic Party (United States) organizations