How Ritchie Torres, diehard Israel supporter, easily survived a brutal primary cycle
Rep. Ritchie Torres Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
While three congressional candidates who are highly critical of the United States’ relationship with Israel won Democratic primaries last week, Rep. Ritchie Torres’ resounding primary win bucked the trend. Torres is a staunch Israel supporter, an incumbent who has received $1.6 million in individual donations directed to his campaign from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee over the course of his congressional career, one of the top recipients in the House. And despite a primary challenge from the left, he’s sailing to reelection for the third time with a resounding 72% of the vote.
Torres has been a staunch supporter of Israel for many years, becoming a leading advocate in Congress among Democrats. As Americans’ positive perceptions of Israel have waned, now more than two years into Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip, Torres has backed off slightly. He’s been less outspoken of late, but his positions have not shifted…