New York Senator Chuck Schumer may encounter challenges in his upcoming re-election bid, as a recent poll indicates that he is behind Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez among Jewish Democrats. The poll, conducted by Honan Strategy Group (HSG) for the Jewish Voters Action Network (JVAC) between May 15 and 18, shows Ocasio-Cortez leading with 45% to Schumer's 33%, with 17% of respondents undecided.
Schumer, 74, has historically relied on the Jewish electorate as a key part of his support base. However, the early numbers from this poll suggest a potential shift in voter sentiment. Maury Litwack, co-founder of JVAC, described the findings as "a massive wake-up call for Schumer," highlighting a loss of support not only in the broader Democratic Party but particularly within the Jewish community.
The decline in Schumer's support is attributed more to his perceived shortcomings than to a surge in enthusiasm for Ocasio-Cortez, according to Litwack's comments to the New York Post. Criticisms of Schumer's performance include his silence during a period of rising antisemitic protests and his failure to pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act, despite the Democrats controlling both the Senate and the White House last year.
Furthermore, Schumer was implicated in an advisory role to Columbia University regarding the handling of reports of antisemitism on campus, as per a House investigative report. Schumer has refuted these allegations, but they have nonetheless impacted his standing among Jewish voters.
Adding to Schumer's troubles, earlier this year he faced backlash from within his party for supporting a government funding bill instead of pushing for a shutdown in protest of then-President Donald Trump's policies. Ocasio-Cortez notably criticized Schumer and Senate Democrats for this decision, calling it "a huge slap in the face" to the party's loyalists and to lawmakers opposing Trump.
A separate poll by Data for Progress paralleled these findings, placing Ocasio-Cortez 19 points ahead of Schumer in a similar 2028 primary scenario. Moreover, this poll positioned Schumer as the most unpopular Democrat tested, with Ocasio-Cortez ranking favorably behind Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, and Elizabeth Warren.
When confronted with a question regarding his poor approval ratings by CNN Capitol Correspondent Raju on April 30, Schumer downplayed the significance of polls, emphasizing party unity and ongoing efforts against Trump. "Polls come and go. Our party is united. We're on our front foot, we're stepping forward, going after Trump and having real success," Schumer stated.
With the election cycle for 2028 still in its early stages, these poll results may not fully capture the electorate's eventual decision-making. Nonetheless, they serve as an indicator of current voter attitudes and may influence strategies as candidates prepare for the primaries.
