Sanders to be a headline speaker at Dems’ conclave
Bernie Sanders, the first Jewish candidate to win major party nominating contests, will be a headlining speaker at the Democratic convention, taking the podium on the first night, Monday, July 25. First lady Michelle Obama will also speak that night.
Last week, the Independent senator from Vermont endorsed Hillary Clinton, the presumptive presidential nominee. A prime speaking slot was one of his conditions for the endorsement, as well as the inclusion in the platform of some of his campaign planks, including a $15 minimum wage, Wall Street regulatory reforms and an overhaul of campaign finance.
Also speaking during the convention, according to the convention press office, will be Chelsea Clinton, who gave birth last month to her second child. Her husband, Marc Mezvinsky, is Jewish. — jta
Bay Area couple’s anti-Trump book gets them fired
A Jewish husband and wife from Monterey who had become the faces of recreational vehicle hobbyists were fired from their job promoting RV travel after writing a book opposing Donald Trump.
The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association dismissed Brad and Amy Herzog earlier this month after they opened a Kickstarter campaign on June 28 to raise money for “D is for Dump Trump: An Anti-Hate Alphabet Book,” a self-described “picture book for adults” they wrote and illustrated. The association had hired the Herzogs, who have promoted RV travel for 17 years, to travel across America giving television interviews about RVs.
As of July 18, the book had 821 backers pledging a total of $35,831. The original campaign goal was $7,500.
“Well, this is pretty incredible. Somewhere along the line, our little picture book project became … something more,” the couple wrote in the Kickstarter updates section. “It might be overstating it to call it a movement, but it’s hard to find a better term. And we are moved, to say the least.”
In a statement on its website, the RV association noted that is a nonpartisan organization and wrote, “The Herzogs have been long-time supporters of our industry and the RV lifestyle, and the decision to suspend the 2016 tour was difficult … As RV industry spokespersons, the Herzogs’ campaign to merchandise a political book that does not meet the nonpartisan position of our organizations distracted from our core value of political neutrality.”
Brad Herzog has written 30 books, most while also working for the RV association, according to the Huffington Post, which first reported the firing. The couple said they will donate $1 from the sale of each book to the Southern Poverty Law Center to support the group’s anti-hate efforts. — jta
Arizona candidate finds swastika, slurs on driveway
A Jewish candidate for a seat in the Arizona Legislature found anti-Semitic messages spray-painted on his driveway in suburban Phoenix.
Adam Stevens, 31, of San Tan Valley, Arizona, discovered a swastika and the words “Go Home Jew” on July 15, the Arizona Republic reported this week. A swastika also was painted on one of Stevens’ campaign signs nearby.
Stevens is one of four Republican candidates running in an Aug. 30 primary for a seat in the State Legislature. He reported the vandalism to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating.
Stevens tied the vandalism to the campaign, saying the rhetoric in the race has been “personal” and “very hateful.” — jta