Jewish Voter Guide
Jack Reed
U.S. Senate · RI · Democrat
Summary
Incumbent Senator Jack Reed is the Democratic nominee in Rhode Island's 2026 U.S. Senate election and will face Republican nominee Raymond McKay and independent candidate Michael Bahry.
Senator Jack Reed is the incumbent Democratic senator from Rhode Island and remains a candidate in the state's September 9, 2026 Democratic primary; he is not yet the party's general-election nominee. Reed has a longstanding record of supporting Israel's security while also emphasizing diplomacy, civilian protection, and congressional war powers. His April 15, 2026 arms-transfer votes were split: he voted to advance the resolution blocking military bulldozers but voted against advancing the resolution blocking 1,000-pound bomb bodies. In 2026 Reed repeatedly opposed President Trump's war with Iran and argued for diplomacy and congressional authorization, while continuing to treat Iran's nuclear program as a serious security challenge. He has condemned Hamas's October 7 attack, affirmed Israel's right to exist and be secure, and called for hostage release and a two-state outcome. In March 2026, Reed publicly stood with Rhode Island's Jewish community after antisemitic graffiti was found at schools. His public record is thinner on college-campus-specific policy and Jewish institutional security grants.
The record
Positions come from public votes, statements and on-the-record interviews. Every claim links to its source. No aggregate score or grade.
Support for a Strong U.S.-Israel Alliance
- On April 15, 2026, Reed voted to advance S.J. Res. 32, which sought to block a proposed sale of military bulldozers to Israel, but voted against advancing S.J. Res. 138, which sought to block a proposed sale of 1,000-pound bomb bodies.
Preventing a Nuclear Iran
- After a June 2026 ceasefire, Reed said the conflict had ended with only an agreement to begin nuclear talks and argued that diplomacy was necessary to produce durable restrictions. In July he again voted to end U.S. hostilities, criticizing the administration for continuing the war without a coherent strategy.
Condemning and Combating Terrorism
- Reed has repeatedly identified Hamas as a terrorist organization and condemned its October 7 attack while supporting efforts to secure the hostages and prevent Hamas from retaining control of Gaza.
Source
Response to Hamas's October 7 Attack
- On the second anniversary of October 7, Reed condemned Hamas's terrorist attack, called for the remaining hostages to be released, reaffirmed Israel's right to exist and be secure, and supported a ceasefire and eventual two-state solution.
Source
Fighting Antisemitism
- In March 2026, Reed condemned antisemitic graffiti at Rhode Island schools, said antisemitism had no place in the state, and expressed solidarity with Jewish students, families, and the broader Jewish community.
Source
Defending Israel in International Organizations
- Reed previously supported restoring humanitarian assistance through UNRWA subject to U.S. law and vetting requirements. No more recent detailed Israel-specific international- organization policy was identified in the reviewed sources.
Source
Engagement with the Jewish Community
- Reed publicly addressed Rhode Island's Jewish community after antisemitic incidents in March 2026 and emphasized that Jewish students and families should feel safe.
Source
Support for a Strong U.S.-Israel Alliance
Two-state solution
AlignedSupports the Two State Solution
Opposed UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and supported the two-state solutionU.S. embassy in Jerusalem
Not alignedDid Not Support the US Embassy Move to Jerusalem
Did not support the move of the U.S. embassy to JerusalemStrengthening America's Middle East Security Act (2019)
Not alignedVoted Against the Strengthening America's Middle East Security Act of 2019
Voted Against the Strengthening America’s Middle East Security Act of 2019
Preventing a Nuclear Iran
Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA)
Not alignedSupported the Iran Deal
Supported the Iran nuclear deal
Defending Israel in International Organizations
UN Security Council Resolution 2334
AlignedOpposed UN Security Council Resolution 2334
Opposed UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and supported the two-state solution
Sources
- Supported the Iran nuclear deal https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/reed-and-whitehouse-announce-support-for-iran-nuclear-agreement
- Voted Against the Strengthening America’s Middle East Security Act of 2019 https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=116&session=1&vote=00016
- Did not support the move of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem https://twitter.com/senjackreed/status/938494593540263936?lang=en
- Opposed UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and supported the two-state solution https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-resolution/6/cosponsors
- Cosponsored Senate Resolution 120 that opposes the global BDS movement https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-resolution/120
- Cosponsored Senate Resolution 234 https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-resolution/234/cosponsors
A note on methodology. This guide is published as an educational reference. The American Jewish Congress does not endorse candidates and does not publish aggregate scores. If you spot a position that needs an update or a better source, please reach the office.