Israel-Hamas War Influences Change In Senate Race Endorsements

Burbank Mayor Konstantine Anthony became the latest lawmaker to switch their endorsement away from Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) in the U.S. Senate race this week because of his stance in the Israeli-Gaza War.

Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war in October, the Senate race has seen a rare international political event divide in the race. While the top four candidates (Schiff, Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), and former baseball star Steve Garvey (R)) condemned the Hamas attacks in October, Lee broke away and became the only major candidate to come out in a cease-fire.

“I was the only member of Congress to vote against the War in Afghanistan,” posted Lee on X. “Now, I am CA’s only US Senate candidate calling for a ceasefire. There is one peace and diplomacy candidate in this race. I am proud to carry that mantle—even if I carry it alone.”

I was the only member of Congress to vote against the War in Afghanistan.

Now, I am CA’s only US Senate candidate calling for a ceasefire.

There is one peace and diplomacy candidate in this race. I am proud to carry that mantle—even if I carry it alone.https://t.co/12M4Lu4I02

— Barbara Lee (@BarbaraLeeForCA) October 26, 2023

In November, she added that “I absolutely condemn all violence against civilians – including the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas. Nothing is more valuable than human life. And the surest way to mitigate the suffering in both Israel and Palestine is through a ceasefire.”

Schiff, the frontrunner in the race according to polls, has maintained his support of Israel.

“There are no both sides to the attack by Hamas,” said Schiff. “Israel has a right to defend itself, and the US must do all it can to assist Israel as it protects its citizens and takes all necessary steps to recover the hostages taken. Hamas is a terrorist group mass-murdering hundreds of innocent Israelis and taking women and children hostage.”

While the issue of the war has divided the country, with California seeing large enough Pro-Palestinian protests to shut down bridges for several hours, new polls have found that the majority of Americans still back Israel. According to a Wall Street Journal poll released on Monday,  55 % of respondents said they believe Israel is taking the necessary action to defend itself and prevent Hamas from launching another attack, with another 20% saying that they did not know.

Divide over the Israel War

Despite that, the divide over supporting Israel or pushing for a cease-fire began seeping into the U.S. Senate Race in California. This week, Burbank Mayor Konstantine Anthony became the latest lawmaker in California to drop his endorsement of Schiff in favor of Lee, primarily over the ceasefire issue. The fact that Burbank is within Schiff’s congressional district only added to the sting of the switched endorsement.

“Schiff’s silence on a cease-fire is what really drew me to consider rescinding my support,” said Anthony. “And the continued silence is why I endorsed Barbara Lee.”

In response, Lee’s team said she was “Deeply honored” to receive the endorsement on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Schiff campaign spokesperson Maryam Ahmed added that “Adam supports Israel’s right to defend itself and supports humanitarian pauses to encourage the release of hostages and allow critical aid to reach civilians in Gaza.”

However, the divide over the ceasefire issue has done little to change overall support. Two month’s following the breakup of Lee between the other three candidates and polls have shown that is still in a distant fourth place. The latest poll released earlier this month found that Schiff was leading with 21%, followed by Porter 16%, Garvey 10%, and Lee only 9%.

“These people switching endorsements have to remember two things,” said Stephanie Lewis, a pollster in Southern California, to the Globe on Wednesday. “One is that a lot of people really don’t care about endorsements. It does affect some, but for the most part, people are more party or issue oriented. Which brings us to point two: issues. Californian voters are more than just one-issue voters. Lee may be for the ceasefire, but issue support still widely varies amongst the candidates. Homelessness, water issues, housing costs, the economy. I mean, there are so many things affecting California and the nation right now, that this isn’t going to do it. Plus. the majority of people are still pro-Israel on this.

“It is a factor for some, but honestly, a bunch of Mayors switching support isn’t going to do anything.”

More endorsement changes are expected in the upcoming last few months before the primary.