LAS VEGAS (VINnews) — Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters is set to tell Jewish Republican leaders Monday that a Democratic takeover of Congress would put the Jewish community at greater risk, as Republicans seek to make antisemitism and support for Israel central issues in the 2026 midterm elections.
The NY Post reports that, Gruters is scheduled to deliver the warning at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s National Leadership Summit in Las Vegas. The event runs through Tuesday and is also expected to feature Vice President JD Vance and other senior Republican officials.
In prepared remarks reported Sunday, Gruters argues that a Democratic majority would give greater influence to the party’s progressive wing. He is expected to point to the Democratic Socialists of America and several Democratic lawmakers and candidates whose positions on Israel and antisemitism have drawn criticism from Republicans.
Gruters is also expected to argue that Democratic leaders have failed to adequately confront antisemitism within their party.
Among those he plans to criticize are New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. He is also expected to cite Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan.
El-Sayed apologized Saturday following criticism over comments he made about an attempted attack targeting a synagogue preschool in Michigan.
Gruters’ remarks come as Republicans seek to use divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel, Hamas and antisemitism to motivate Jewish and other voters ahead of the November elections.
He is expected to highlight Republican candidates he says are strong supporters of Jewish communities, including Rep. Mike Lawler of New York and Michael LiPetri, the Republican nominee challenging Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi.
Lawler is seeking a third term in New York’s 17th Congressional District and faces Democrat Cait Conley. LiPetri is running against Suozzi in the 3rd Congressional District after narrowly losing to him in 2024.
The Republican campaign comes as the party prepares for what could be a difficult midterm election. Historically, the president’s party tends to lose congressional seats in midterm elections, giving Republicans an added incentive to focus on issues that can energize their base.
Gruters, a former Florida state senator, has made combating antisemitism one of his political priorities. His appearance at the RJC summit gives him an opportunity to frame the upcoming congressional elections as a choice not only over control of Congress but also over the direction of American policy toward Israel and the Jewish community.
The Republican Jewish Coalition’s summit is being held at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas and runs from Sunday through Tuesday.