ActJew Endorsed Three New York Candidates
The group announced bipartisan support for George Latimer, Mike Lawler, and Shelley Mayer.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Judaism
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The organization ActJew has officially endorsed three incumbent New York officials for reelection. The list includes Congressional Representatives George Latimer and Mike Lawler, as well as State Senator Shelley Mayer.
Why it matters
The endorsements reflect the organization's focus on candidate records regarding Israel, antisemitism, and a commitment to bipartisan cooperation. These selections were finalized following board evaluations of each candidate's legislative history.
The endorsements cover New York's 16th and 17th Congressional Districts as well as the 37th State Senate District. These figures represent the legislative areas served by the selected candidates.
The players
ActJew
This organization evaluates and endorses political candidates based on their stances regarding Israel and antisemitism.
George Latimer
He is the current representative for New York's 16th Congressional District.
Mike Lawler
He serves as the representative for New York's 17th Congressional District and has focused on legislative responses to antisemitism.
Shelley Mayer
She serves as the State Senator for the 37th District and acts as chair of the New York State Senate Education Committee.
The details
The group based its support on the candidates' past legislative actions, including efforts by Lawler to condemn antisemitic rhetoric through H.Res. 1239 and his vote on federal student-aid funds in H.R. 4795. Shelley Mayer, who chairs the New York State Senate Education Committee, was also selected for her alignment with the organization's priorities.
Timeline
George Latimer won the Democratic primary for NY-16 in 2024.
Mike Lawler voted to pass H.R. 4795 in September 2026.
ActJew announced its bipartisan candidate endorsements on September 22, 2026.
Culture Shift
The group's recent endorsements follow a pattern established by their support for legislative efforts like H.Res. 1239. This move highlights an increasing focus on specific legislative records as the primary driver for modern political support within religious advocacy groups.
Residents in the Lower Hudson Valley will see these endorsements highlighted in upcoming campaign materials for the identified candidates. This information assists voters in understanding which officials are aligned with the group's policy priorities regarding antisemitism.
The takeaway
Voters can examine the specific legislative histories of these candidates to see how their past votes align with these endorsements. These decisions serve as a reminder of how advocacy organizations leverage specific policy records to influence regional elections.
Further reading
For more information on religious perspectives and political engagement, visit the Judaism section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Jewish News Syndicate.
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