The Republican Primary
May 23, 2022
Georgia’s 14th Congressional District represents a significant electoral fight for incumbent Marjorie Taylor Greene – as she faces several challengers in her GOP Primary. With a Cook PVI rating of R+28, it is safe to assume that the Republican Primary is a clear indication of this district’s beliefs for the 118th Congress.
As the race takes shape and voters head to the polls, the Jewish Political Guide is your primary resource to see where candidates stand.
It is necessary to point out that our Jewish Political Guide does not endorse any particular candidate for office but rather provides issue education and serves as a frontline resource to better protect and prepare both candidates and voters on issues affecting the Jewish Community.
Marjorie Taylor Greene
Incumbent Marjorie Taylor Greene has been anything but orthodox during her time in office and has represented a significant shift in the esteem, character, and actions of our elected officials. Representative Greene has largely been associated with negative actors like Holocaust denier Nicholas Fuentes and even spoke publicly at his America First Political Action Conference. On the Issues, Congresswoman Greene has sought to expand the protections of those who pose severe threats to our Jewish Communities, and her actions to legitimize this unacceptable rhetoric have soiled the Congressional Landscape.
Representative Greene has repeatedly made antisemitic remarks, such as equating the wearing of masks for protection against COVID-19 to the treatment that innocent Jews endured during the Holocaust and calling officers conducting congressional inquires the “Gestapo.” In an article originally published by Newsweek, they highlighted Greene’s actions further by noting, “Among her incendiary comments were suggestions that a plane did not hit the Pentagon on 9/11; that the Sandy Hook and Parkland school shootings were staged; that prominent Democrats should be executed; and that forest fires were caused by a space laser operated by the prominent Jewish Rothschild family.”
Finally, The American Jewish Congress has been a leader in White Supremacist and extremist research, and through our work, have discovered how Representative Greene actively uses the base for political gain. In an American Jewish Congress report, “The New White Supremacist Politics,” we exposed the efforts of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) to use Gab to grow an extremist base, raise funds, and increase her influence within the Republican party. Gab is an alternative social media platform favored by Holocaust deniers, white supremacists, and supporters of the antisemitic QAnon conspiracy theory.
Jennifer Strahan
In a crowded race, Rep. Greene’s primary contender is Jennifer Strahan, who, as described well by CNN, is a “ first-time candidate and the most formidable of Greene’s five primary opponents, Strahan has the backing of the Republican Jewish Coalition PAC and the PACs of some major local and national businesses, including UPS and International Paper. VIEW PAC — the leading organization dedicated to recruiting and electing Republican women to Congress — is opposing an incumbent for the first time by endorsing Strahan against Greene.”
Strahan has been pitching herself as a more mainstream candidate that could lead to a potential rebirth for the 14th district after a rocky and revealing period under Greene’s representation. According to Strahan Campaign website, she has proclaimed strong support for Israel, a commitment to hold Iran accountable, and unwavering support of our nation’s military. Below are some of her highlighted positions, which are listed also on her website:
ISRAEL
“Israel is our closest Middle East ally and a beacon of democratic values in a tumultuous corner of the globe. Our security interests are closely intertwined. My strong support for maintaining and strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship is among the many reasons I decided to challenge incumbent Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene in Georgia’s 14th congressional district. Congresswoman Greene’s misguided comments about the Holocaust show how uninformed and ill-prepared she is to be a leader in Congress on defending our critical alliance with Israel. It is just one example of many instances where our current congresswoman has embarrassed herself and most Georgians. Israel has been a vital ally to the United States in our most challenging moments for decades, and Israel’s strength provides an essential deterrent to those in the region who threaten U.S. security. Israel and the United States must continue to collaborate in the fight to defeat Islamic extremists and stop Iranian aggression. We share best practices on border security, collaborate on military technologies, train our troops together, and strengthen each other’s economies. This security alliance is essential to both of our nations. When I see Israel attacked by Iran, Islamic extremists, supporters of the BDS movement, and others, I feel the attack on a personal level as well.”
BDS
“I strongly oppose the anti-Semitic Boycotts, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and efforts to undermine Israel’s legitimate right to exist as a sovereign nation. Economic strength in Israel is a boon to global security. The BDS movement fuels global anti-Semitism and must be defeated. I support the Israel Anti-Boycott Act and believe more should be done to push back against those who would boycott Israel. Additionally, more Members of Congress should acknowledge the hundreds of thousands of American jobs created through our alliance with Israel, and I will do that if elected.”
IRAN
“Israel and the United States continue to share a common enemy: Iran. As their leaders cry “Death to America,” there is no question Iran’s threats are immediate. We need more American leaders who will call attention to Iran’s ongoing, deplorable abuses of human rights. Under no circumstances must Iran be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. I oppose the flawed Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and efforts to re-join that agreement or a similar one. Our policy should be one of prevention, not deterrence. The U.S. should continue applying maximum economic pressure and taking appropriate military action, when necessary, to temper the Iranian regime’s aggressive behavior. Economic sanctions are essential and should not cease until Iran’s leaders prove a willingness to stop their terroristic behavior and destructive actions in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza, and elsewhere.”