Rory Lancman, a former New York assemblyman and current Democratic candidate for a Long Island state Senate seat, has addressed concerns about rising antisemitism within both major political parties in the United States. In response to a recent open letter by Ed Cox, chairman of New York State’s Republican Party, urging the Jewish community to reconsider its political alignment amid claims of increasing antisemitism in the Democratic Party, Lancman acknowledged the presence of antisemitism across the political spectrum.

Lancman noted that while he shares Cox's dismay over antisemitic rhetoric, he has observed troubling instances within both parties. He highlighted that some presidential appointees have been linked to antisemitic or white-nationalist views, and accused prominent Republican figures, including the vice president and influential conservative commentators, of engaging in or endorsing antisemitic conspiracy theories. However, Lancman emphasized that simply condemning one side does not address the broader issue and recognized that combating antisemitism within his own party remains essential.

Despite the challenges, Lancman argued that American Jews’ longstanding support for the Democratic Party remains rooted in historical and cultural factors. He traced the relationship back to the 1930s, when the New Deal coalition attracted Jewish voters who had faced exclusion from Republican-aligned institutions. He observed that Jewish support for Democratic presidential candidates remains robust, citing that approximately 71% of Jewish voters supported Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, even as socioeconomic trends might suggest a conservative shift.

Lancman attributed this enduring allegiance to the Democratic Party’s alignment with values central to many American Jews. He described America as a unique society where Jews have been able to practice their faith freely and participate fully as equal citizens, contrasting this with experiences of exclusion and persecution in Europe. He characterized the United States as a pluralistic, civil society grounded in liberal principles such as civil rights, rule of law, and meritocratic leadership—values to which many Jewish Americans feel deeply connected.

He also pointed to the prominent role of Jewish individuals in civil rights and social justice efforts, as well as in public service, noting that this tradition has often aligned more closely with the Democratic Party's platform. Lancman acknowledged the Republican Party’s role but suggested that it has not been as consistent a home for Jewish Americans seeking these ideals.

While expressing concern about antisemitism growing within the Democratic Party, including instances of hostility toward Israel and its American supporters, Lancman maintained that leaving the party would signal a loss of faith in the broader American project of equality and pluralism—something many Jewish voters are not yet willing to accept. He called on Democrats who share commitment to party ideals to actively confront and root out antisemitic attitudes within their ranks.

Lancman’s remarks reflect the complex and ongoing debate within the Jewish community and the broader political landscape regarding the persistence of antisemitism and the challenges it poses to political affiliation and identity in the United States.