Schiff’s Israel support costs him endorsement in high-profile Senate race

.

Rep. Adam Schiff‘s (D-CA) unwavering support for Israel is costing him at home after the mayor of Burbank, California, switched his endorsement from Schiff to Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) in the 2024 California Senate race.

Mayor Konstantine Anthony said in an interview with the Washington Post that Schiff’s refusal to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas led him to switch to Lee.

BIDEN LOSING YOUNG VOTERS TO TRUMP AS HE FALLS BEHIND IN TWO SWING STATES

“[Schiff’s] silence on a ceasefire is what really drew me to consider” rescinding support, Anthony said on Monday. “And the continued silence is why I endorsed Barbara Lee.”

The Burbank mayor publicly called on Schiff to ask for a ceasefire on Oct. 31, announcing that he could not “maintain my endorsement of his candidacy for the United States Senate” and would not be endorsing any other candidate “while I await his statement calling for peace, at which time he will earn my endorsement again.” That time period ended on Monday with an endorsement of Lee.

“If my endorsement has any power whatsoever, I’m hoping it sheds a light not only on what is happening in our country, but what our country is doing in other countries,” Anthony said.

Anthony said he supports Israel’s right to defend itself but criticized Israeli military operations in Gaza that have led to thousands of Palestinian deaths since Hamas launched terrorist attacks against Israel on Oct. 7, killing at least 1,200 Israelis.

Losing Anthony’s endorsement could be a significant problem for Schiff’s campaign, as Burbank sits in the congressional district Schiff represents. Anthony said he repeatedly sought the congressman’s support for a lasting ceasefire and not just a temporary pause in fighting.

“Adam is proud to have the endorsement of nearly 65 percent of California’s Democratic congressional delegation, over 275 current and former California elected officials, and nearly a dozen statewide labor unions,” Maryam Ahmed, spokeswoman for Schiff’s campaign, said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “He continues to build momentum as he campaigns across the state. Adam supports Israel’s right to defend itself and supports humanitarian pauses to encourage the release of hostages and allow critical aid to reach civilians in Gaza.”

In a news release, Lee said she was “deeply honored” by Anthony’s endorsement. Anthony called Lee the “progressive choice for our time” in his statement in the release.

“From the picket line to City Hall, Mayor Konstantine has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to equity, dignity, and security for Burbank and Los Angeles at large,” Lee said. “I’m deeply honored to have his endorsement, and look forward to his support on our people-powered campaign.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Lee, Schiff, and Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) are vying to fill the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat in 2024. California Democrats were unable to agree on who to endorse in the Senate race, with no candidate earning 60% of a convention delegate vote held in November. Schiff and Lee attracted the most support, with 40% and 41% respectively. Porter trailed behind with 16%.

The Public Policy Institute of California released a statewide survey last week that found Schiff leading with 21%, followed by Porter with 16% and Lee with 8%.

Related Content

Related Content