All Jewish members of the U.S. Congress have managed to retain their seats and at least one Jew, Sidney A. Fine, a New York Democrat, won a seat, as a result of the nationwide elections held yesterday, it became known here today. In a number of instances in various states, Jewish candidates aspiring for membership in Congress were defeated.
Jews who have held their seats include Senator Herbert H. Lehman, and Representatives Arthur G. Klein, Abraham Multer, Emanuel Celler, Isidore Dolliger, Louis B. Heller, and Jacob K. Javits, all of New York. Adolph J. Sabath, aged dean of the House and ohairman of the Rules Committee, was re-elected by Illinois voters, as was Sidney R. Yates, of Chicago. Pennsylvania voters returned Earl Chudoff, of Philadelphia, and A.A. Ribicoff, of Conrecticut, was re-elected. All Jewish members are Democrats with the exception of Republican-Liberal Javits.
Members of Congress who have displayed anti-Jewish sentiments have been returned for another term, including Sen. Pat McCarran (D.-Nev.), Representatives John Rankin (D.-Mies), Ed Gossett (D.-Texas), Clare Hoffman (R.-Mich.), Lawrence H. Smith, (R.-Wis.). In Missouri, however, Sen. Forrest C. Donnell, a Republican who made unfavorable remarks during Senate consideration of the displaced persons issue, was defeated by Thomas C. Hennings, Jr., a Democrat.
The defeat in the Senate reace of Senate Majority Leader Scott Lucas, of Illinois, Sen. Millard Tydings (D.-Md.), and Rep. Helen Gahagan Douglas, among others, has been noted in Zionist quarters and by Jewish organizations. These Democrats supported the Zionist cause, liberalization of DP legislation, and other legislation of interest to Jews. Everett M. Dirksen, who defeated Lucas, is a former isolationist.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.