Jewish midterm contenders Ossoff, Shapiro win respective reelection bids

Jerusalem Post/US PoliticsOssoff triumphed in one of the nation’s most competitive Senate races in a state Trump carried by 2 percentage points in 2024, underscoring Democrats’ ability to defend a key battleground.Follow us on GoogleGeorgia Democratic Senate candidate, Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) speaks to supporters and members of the media at a campaign event at the Dekalb History Center Museum on November 2, 2026 in Decatur, Georgia. (photo credit: Megan Varner/Getty Images)NOVEMBER 4, 2026 03:00Updated: NOVEMBER 4, 2026 03:36Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff won reelection in Georgia on Tuesday, according to media projections, defeating US President Donald Trump-backed Republican US Representative Mike Collins and preserving a crucial seat in his party’s battle for Senate control.In addition, Jewish Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro has been declared the winner of the Pennsylvania gubernatorial race. He is considered a possible Democratic presidential candidate in 2028.Ossoff, Jewish himself, triumphed in one of the nation’s most competitive Senate races in a state Trump carried by 2 percentage points in 2024, underscoring Democrats’ ability to defend a key battleground.The senator, widely seen as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, raised $126 million more than Collins, who was backed by $18 million in outside spending after fighting through a three-way Republican primary and runoff.Trump endorsed Collins prior to midterm electionsTrump endorsed Collins over former college football coach Derek Dooley, who was backed by outgoing Republican Governor Brian Kemp.Supporters gather for an Election Night rally for US Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Democratic candidate for re-election, during the US midterm elections in Atlanta, Georgia, US, November 3, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/CARLOS BARRIA)Republicans held a 53-47 Senate majority going into Tuesday’s elections, with Democrats needing a net gain of four seats to take control.Democrats' easiest path to a Senate majority requires the party to hold seats in Trump-won Georgia and Michigan and flip Republican-held seats in Maine and North Carolina, as well as at least two other states that Trump won by double digits in 2024, such as Ohio, Alaska, Iowa, Texas, and others.Follow us on Google