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Jewish Democrats have set up a super PAC to defend Hillary Clinton and other candidates from what they say will be a Sheldon Adelson-funded onslaught among Jewish voters.
Jews for Progress has raised more than $1 million over the last two months, one of its founders, Ron Klein, a former Florida congressman who consults with Democrats, confirmed this week.
A super PAC is an independent political action committee that cannot make contributions to a candidate, campaign or parties but may engage in unlimited political spending outside of those realms.
In addition to Klein, backers include Marc Stanley, a past chairman of the National Jewish Democratic Council; Michael Adler, a Miami lawyer who is a major fundraiser for Democratic candidates; and two longtime donors to Democratic and pro-Israel causes, Fran Katz Watson and Steve Paikowsky.
“Sheldon Adelson is indicating he will put $25 million into the Republican Jewish Coalition’s message machine, which in the past has provided lies and distortions” about presidential and congressional races, Klein charged this week. He said Jews for Progress would focus on swing states where Jewish populations could make the difference, including Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida, Ohio, Nevada and Colorado.
The super PAC’s day-to-day operatives are Steve Rabinowitz and San Francisco native Aaron Keyak. — jta