US Jews still mostly Democrats, but GOP sees gains

61 percent of American Jewish respondents in recent poll back Democrats, down 10 percent since 2008

By JTA 9 January 2015, 3:51 am

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President Barack Obama pauses while speaking to members of the media, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Obama called the shootings at French newspaper a 'cowardly evil attack' on journalists and a free press. (photo credit: AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Twice as many Jewish-Americans identify as Democrats over Republicans, but the GOP has made strides, according to the latest Gallup polling.

The poll published this week showed 61 percent Jewish support for Democrats and 29 percent for Republicans — marked gains for the GOP since 2008, when Barack Obama was elected president and garnered significant Jewish support.

In that year, 71 percent of Jewish respondents leaned Democrat and 22 percent Republican.

Gallup said that the 7 percent hike corresponded with similar gains for the GOP in the general public, although to a slightly greater degree among Jews.

“As is the case with other Americans, Jewish Americans’ political leanings vary significantly by religiosity, gender and education,” Gallup said in describing the results. “Jewish men are more Republican than Jewish women, highly religious Jews are more Republican than less religious Jews, and Jews with lower levels of education are more likely to be Republicans than those with more formal education.”