2010 and 2012 Maryland Democratic primary battles, and their effects on the 2016 Maryland Democratic primaries, have become topical again because of the issue positions and statements which form the basis of similar attacks on Rep. Keith Ellison (MNCD5), in his stand for DNC Chairman, by Haim Saban attempting to play the role of centrist with a right-leaning long term policy drift, after a leak of video from Steven Emerson's Investigative Project on Terrorism, on the same issue of views on a negotiated, with mediators, final status peaceful conflict resolution between Israel and Palestine. Emerson's Investigative Project on Terrorism is extremist to the point of its founder, Steven Emerson, alleging that there are 'no go zones' for police in city neighborhoods with high Muslim immigrant populations in 2015.
Keith Ellison joined former Rep Donna Edwards in voting 'present' on the Jan 2009 'support Israel's right of self defense in the Cast Lead war' resolution.
Ellison's critics in the DNC and some supporters of Labor secretary Tom Perez, the other top candidate, are pointing to the Minnesota Democrat’s past tax troubles, campaign finance violations and minor legal issues that once led to his driver’s license being suspended as evidence that he’s ill-equipped to lead the DNC.
Some of those instances date back to the 1990s. All of the issues have been rectified and were previously used in attacks against Ellison during his first run for House in 2006.
That year, Ellison’s then-wife, Kim Ellison, who acted as his campaign treasurer, wrote to the Minneapolis Star Tribune to accept responsibility for all of the violations.
Some of those instances date back to the 1990s. All of the issues have been rectified and were previously used in attacks against Ellison during his first run for House in 2006.
That year, Ellison’s then-wife, Kim Ellison, who acted as his campaign treasurer, wrote to the Minneapolis Star Tribune to accept responsibility for all of the violations.
Martin points to Ellison’s Jewish supporters — including campaign chairman and former ambassador to Morocco Sam Kaplan — as proof that the anti-Semite accusations are “complete bullshit.”
“His opponents are looking through his past and digging up stuff from his congressional and legislative races that fell flat and that Minnesotans rejected,” Martin said. “I welcome them to keep focusing on stuff that doesn’t matter. Keith will focus on building the party up from the grassroots.”
Ellison once paid upwards of $18,000 to settle a federal lien against him over unpaid income taxes from between 1992 and 2000.
Between 2002 and 2004, when he was a state representative, the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure board subpoenaed and ultimately fined Ellison’s campaign over “discrepancies in cash balances, misclassified disbursements and unreported contributions.”
And in 2006, when Ellison was running for Congress, he acknowledged that his driver’s license had been suspended multiple times over unpaid traffic tickets.
When those offenses became an issue in his first run for House, Ellison’s then-wife Kim Ellison wrote an emotional letter to the Star Tribune, the largest paper in Minneapolis, attributing the oversights to her illness.
“I was having a tough time getting things done,” she wrote. “I didn’t want to let Keith down by resigning and I guess he didn’t want to fire me either.”
The Star Tribune reported that Ellison was unaware that his wife had written the letter. The paper said that when a reporter read the letter to Ellison, he “burst into tears.”
“She’s just trying to help me,” he said. “I don’t know what else to say other than that. She’s a very courageous woman. It took a lot of guts to do what she did. I wish she hadn’t done it. It wasn’t necessary. But she wanted to help.”
Keith and Kim Ellison separated in 2010 and later divorced.
Between 2002 and 2004, when he was a state representative, the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure board subpoenaed and ultimately fined Ellison’s campaign over “discrepancies in cash balances, misclassified disbursements and unreported contributions.”
And in 2006, when Ellison was running for Congress, he acknowledged that his driver’s license had been suspended multiple times over unpaid traffic tickets.
When those offenses became an issue in his first run for House, Ellison’s then-wife Kim Ellison wrote an emotional letter to the Star Tribune, the largest paper in Minneapolis, attributing the oversights to her illness.
“I was having a tough time getting things done,” she wrote. “I didn’t want to let Keith down by resigning and I guess he didn’t want to fire me either.”
The Star Tribune reported that Ellison was unaware that his wife had written the letter. The paper said that when a reporter read the letter to Ellison, he “burst into tears.”
“She’s just trying to help me,” he said. “I don’t know what else to say other than that. She’s a very courageous woman. It took a lot of guts to do what she did. I wish she hadn’t done it. It wasn’t necessary. But she wanted to help.”
Keith and Kim Ellison separated in 2010 and later divorced.
Ellison spokesman Brett Morrow said the issues have been handled and deemed irrelevant by voters.
“When these issues arose in 2006, Keith handled them directly. And the voters of Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District were never concerned about them again, as they have re-elected Keith 6 times with overwhelming margins,” Morrow said. “DNC members want to know about who will strengthen the Democratic Party's infrastructure, unite with the grassroots and increase voter turnout. That is how we win in 2018, 2020 and beyond.”
Still, some Democrats maintain that Ellison is responsible for keeping his business in order and that every element from his past will be fair game for Republicans.
“Every time he makes a statement about Donald Trump’s irresponsible policies, Republicans will come back and say, 'Who is he to talk about being irresponsible? He couldn’t even get his finances in order and got sued by the state of Minnesota, or he can’t even hold on to his driver’s license without getting it suspended,'” said one DNC member who is supporting Perez.
“Layer on that the statements he made about Israel — a lot of this stuff is blown out of proportion, but Republicans will never hesitate to blow things out of proportion,” the DNC member said. “It will diminish his credibility significantly and take the focus away from where it needs to be.
“Layer on that the statements he made about Israel — a lot of this stuff is blown out of proportion, but Republicans will never hesitate to blow things out of proportion,” the DNC member said. “It will diminish his credibility significantly and take the focus away from where it needs to be.
“Look — these things happened a long time ago and sometimes young people do things incorrectly and that’s probably a large part of this. But the bottom line is, it doesn’t matter. Republicans went after Hillary Clinton for something out of law school 50 years ago in Arkansas. That’s what they do. It is a problem to have someone with baggage from the get-go.”
Still, Ellison became the early frontrunner for a reason.
Like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who has endorsed him, Ellison’s supporters are backing him with vigor and are thrilled by his dynamic public speeches and organizing abilities.
They’re not put off in the slightest by the controversies they say are being dredged up by his political opponents. Rather, they say the attacks are hardening their resolve.
“This is just plain mudslinging,” said Terry Tucker, a Colorado DNC member who backs Ellison. “These minor things, a traffic infraction or taxes, this happens to all of us, none of us are blameless. This does not disqualify you from leadership, it just shows that you’re human.”
Like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who has endorsed him, Ellison’s supporters are backing him with vigor and are thrilled by his dynamic public speeches and organizing abilities.
They’re not put off in the slightest by the controversies they say are being dredged up by his political opponents. Rather, they say the attacks are hardening their resolve.
“This is just plain mudslinging,” said Terry Tucker, a Colorado DNC member who backs Ellison. “These minor things, a traffic infraction or taxes, this happens to all of us, none of us are blameless. This does not disqualify you from leadership, it just shows that you’re human.”
"Primary Challenge in 4th"
Jan 12, 2012 Washington Jewish Week
[full article transcribed below only printed not posted online to link to]
by Zach Silberman
Staff Writer
The upcoming year [2012] will provide some contentious battles in Maryland congressional races. One such contest will occur in Maryland's 4th District for the U.S. House of Representatives with former Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey challenging incumbent Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) in the Democratic primary election, which will be held April 3 [2012].
Ivey, who served as Prince George's County's prosecutor for eight years, decided to make a run because of the importance of public service and his hopes for improving the lives of the residents of the 4th District.
"Public service has played a very important part in my career and in my life. From seeing and feeling the impact of the civil rights movement as a child growing up in the segregated south to working in Congress as a key staffer, I learned that government can help level the playing field and help to offer opportunities for the disenfranchised and downtrodden," Ivey said.
While primary elections can cause an eventual nominee to emerge from the contest in battered form, Democratic activist and small business owner Barbara Goldberg Goldman argued that primary elections are good for broadcasting important policy issues.
"The primary process is a good and important one. When civil discourse is practiced, it strengthens our party, Goldberg Goldman said. "Primaries flesh out issues and create the forums for good constructive dialogue."
Ivey emphasized that it would be important for his campaign to show the differences between himself and Edwards on issues that are important to the 4th District.
"The key to the campaign is to effectively communicate the policy differences to the community," Ivey said.
In late October [2011], the Maryland legislature approved a plan that would redraw many of the congressional districts in the state, particularly District 4. According to the redistricting plan, the 4th District would gain residents in Anne Arundel and Prince George's Counties, while losing residents from Montgomery County.
Ivey observed that the dynamics of the redistricting plan make the race seem like an open contest between him and Edwards. He emphasized that the new makeup of the district could present opportunities for the campaign.
"Roughly 40 percent of the precincts are new to the congressional district. This is essentially an open seat race in those precincts, and we've got a good chance of running successfully in those," Ivey said.
Goldberg Goldman, who has known Ivey throughout his public career, underscored his respect for, and attention to, his constituents during his tenure as state's attorney.
"As state's attorney, he continually demonstrated his absolute commitment to the safety, concerns and needs of his constituents," Goldberg Goldman said.
One issue where voters say the two candidates differ is their responses to constituents, Bess Teller, a Brookeville resident and local Jewish community activist, highlighted her frustration with Edwards.
"Donna Edwards is not a responsive congresswoman to her constituents," Teller said.
"As a constituent, I have had no response whatsoever."
Edwards and her campaign did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
As the economy continues its slow recovery, financial issues will certainly be on the minds of voters in the 2012 campaign. As state's attorney, Ivey was cognizant of the economic issues impacting Prince George's County. He was instrumental in creating the Economic Crimes Unit at the State's Attorney's Office, which led Maryland and the region in combating mortgage fraud. Ivey highlighted matters pertaining to the foreclosure crisis as a strong issue in the upcoming election.
"For most of America right now and most people in the 4th District and Maryland generally, the issue is the economy and the sub-issues are jobs and foreclosures," Ivey said. "Parts of Prince George's County have really been devastated by the foreclosure crisis."
When discussing Ivey's record, Teller, a Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) board member, underlined Ivey's qualifications and his actions in pushing for policy solutions.
"He has great credentials. His character is unblemished and he is deliberate in his thinking," Teller said.
During her tenure in Congress, Edwards has also focused on domestic issues that impact local residents. Susan Turnbull, longtime Democratic Party leader and current chair of Jewish Women International, emphasized that Edwards has been a champion on domestic violence issues, as well as environmental and economic matters.
"Even before she was in Congress, Donna was one of the original leaders in domestic violence issues, and the DV community has often turned to Donna on those issues in Congress," Turnbull said. "Donna is seen as a heroine in the environmental community and on economic equality."
On Israel, Edwards has earned praise from some in the pro-Israel policy community. Jeremy Ben-Ami, the founder and president of J Street, underlined that Edwards does have a record of voting in favor of issues important to the pro-Israel community, particularly comprehensive sanctions on Iran and appropriations bills that would ensure security assistance to Israel.
"On the votes that are important to the pro-Israel community, she has supported aid every year in the appropriations process, and she supported the supplemental for the Iron Dome missile shield, as well as sanctions on Iran," Ben-Ami said.
Over her last three election cycles, Edwards has been endorsed by JStreetPAC, the political action committee that provides political and financial support to candidates for federal office. JStreetPAC has already raised $45,000 for Edwards in the upcoming [2012] campaign.
"From our perspective, she is a champion of the pro-Israel community," Ben-Ami added.
In addition, Turnbull highlighted Edwards' support with members of the Jewish community in Maryland.
"I think that Donna is very strong and has done very well as a member of Congress. She actually has support from many in the Jewish community including our senator, Ben Cardin," Turnbull said.
While Edwards has received praise for votes on foreign aid and Iran sanctions, some of her actions have repeatedly come into question, particularly by her constituents in the Jewish community. Elaine Senter, a Silver Spring resident, noted that Edwards has taken a one-sided approach to Israel.
"She never was interested in the balanced picture of Israel," said Senter, a former president of the JCRC. "She had her mind-set on one picture of the Middle East, and it certainly was not a mind-set that was in the least bit open."
Edwards has received criticism for not supporting various letters and resolutions during her tenure. In 2009, Edwards did not sign on to a letter to President Barack Obama that urged renewed principles for peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. Also, in 2010, she did not sign a congressional letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that reaffirmed the alliance between the U.S. and Israel. Both letters sponsored by members of the House leadership, Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Eric Cantor (R-Va.), and signed by two-thirds of the members of the House.
In addition, she voted "present" on a resolution in 2009 that recognized Israel's right to self-defense following the 2008 war in Gaza.
"She has a pretty hostile attitude towards Israel," said Ken Levine, a Bethesda resident and former Capitol Hill staffer. "Frankly I find her views on the Middle East completely naive and not helpful."
On matters pertaining to the Jewish community, Ivey is no stranger to the issues regarding Israel. In 2005, he attended a trip to Israel that was sponsored by the JCRC.
As Iran continues to pursue a nuclear capability, Ivey is aware of the danger that a nuclear Iran could pose to the Middle East and Israel. He agreed with recent comments made by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on CBS's 60 Minutes, where he indicated that "there are no options off the table."
"I think Panetta was absolutely right about how dangerous it is not only to the United States and Israel, but also to the world to have a nuclear Iran, and we really have to make sure that all options are on the table," Ivey said.
When asked about the peace process between the Israelis and Palestinians, including the Palestinians' recent actions at the United Nations, Ivey affirmed that skirting direct negotiations will not solve the conflict.
"At the end of the day, the only way to get to a viable peaceful solution is for the parties to agree to it," Ivey said. "It can't be imposed from outside, it has to be something they hammer out themselves because they're the ones that are going to have to live with it."
Goldberg Goldman, who was co-chair of Obama for America's Jewish Community Leadership Committee in 2008, expressed her confidence in Ivey's policy positions on Israel and believes he would bring a passionate perspective to Congress.
"Glenn Ivey is a very strong supporter and ally of Israel. He is very passionate about Israel's safety, security and right to defend herself on all levels," Goldberg Goldman said.
With redistricting putting a number of House seats in play in 2012, the Democratic Party will seek to win back the majority it lost in the 2010 midterms. On a broader scale, Ivey stated that in order to win back voters, his party will need to do a better job of explaining Democratic successes that impact the average American citizen.
Ivey withdraws from Maryland 4th race
PUBLICATION: Washington Jewish Week (DC)
SECTION: Local News
DATE: January 11, 2012
by Zach Silberman
Staff Writer
Ed. note: The following updates our printed cover story from the January 12th issue of Washington Jewish Week about Ivey's Congressional bid to reflect his withdrawal from the campaign:
On Wednesday, former Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey announced that he would withdraw his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives seat in Maryland's Fourth Congressional District.
Ivey, a former Capitol Hill staffer, was planning to seek the Democratic nomination against incumbent Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.).
Ivey announced his intention to withdraw in a press release issued Wednesday afternoon.
In his statement, Ivey highlighted the "tough economy and a compressed election time-frame" as reasons for his withdrawal.
"With the April 3rd primary fast approaching and the ever increasing costs of Congressional campaigns sky-rocketing; it would take a very substantial amount of money to get my message out to voters in two very expensive media markets," Ivey said.
Ivey concluded that the campaign was a "learning experience" for him. He urged constituents of the Fourth District "to press on with those issues that are important to you. You must demand responsive government. You must not let politicians take you for granted. You must make sure that your elected leaders work hard every day for you."
The Washington Post article
also didn't name Susan Turnbull, who defended former Rep. Edwards' record on domestic violence, income inequality and environmental issues, or Jeremy Ben-Ami of J Street whose PAC had supported former Rep. Donna Edwards' campaigns.
During her tenure in Congress, Edwards has also focused on domestic issues that impact local residents. Susan Turnbull, longtime Democratic Party leader and current chair of Jewish Women International, emphasized that Edwards has been a champion on domestic violence issues, as well as environmental and economic matters.
"Even before she was in Congress, Donna was one of the original leaders in domestic violence issues, and the DV community has often turned to Donna on those issues in Congress," Turnbull said. "Donna is seen as a heroine in the environmental community and on economic equality."
On Israel, Edwards has earned praise from some in the pro-Israel policy community. Jeremy Ben-Ami, the founder and president of J Street, underlined that Edwards does have a record of voting in favor of issues important to the pro-Israel community, particularly comprehensive sanctions on Iran and appropriations bills that would ensure security assistance to Israel.
"On the votes that are important to the pro-Israel community, she has supported aid every year in the appropriations process, and she supported the supplemental for the Iron Dome missile shield, as well as sanctions on Iran," Ben-Ami said.
Over her last three election cycles, Edwards has been endorsed by JStreetPAC, the political action committee that provides political and financial support to candidates for federal office. JStreetPAC has already raised $45,000 for Edwards in the upcoming [2012] campaign.
"From our perspective, she is a champion of the pro-Israel community," Ben-Ami added.
In addition, Turnbull highlighted Edwards' support with members of the Jewish community in Maryland.
"I think that Donna is very strong and has done very well as a member of Congress. She actually has support from many in the Jewish community including our senator, Ben Cardin," Turnbull said.
One issue where voters say the two candidates differ is their responses to constituents, Bess Teller, a Brookeville resident and local Jewish community activist, highlighted her frustration with Edwards.
"Donna Edwards is not a responsive congresswoman to her constituents," Teller said.
"As a constituent, I have had no response whatsoever."
Edwards and her campaign did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
As the economy continues its slow recovery, financial issues will certainly be on the minds of voters in the 2012 campaign. As state's attorney, Ivey was cognizant of the economic issues impacting Prince George's County. He was instrumental in creating the Economic Crimes Unit at the State's Attorney's Office, which led Maryland and the region in combating mortgage fraud. Ivey highlighted matters pertaining to the foreclosure crisis as a strong issue in the upcoming election.
"For most of America right now and most people in the 4th District and Maryland generally, the issue is the economy and the sub-issues are jobs and foreclosures," Ivey said. "Parts of Prince George's County have really been devastated by the foreclosure crisis."
When discussing Ivey's record, Teller, a Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) board member, underlined Ivey's qualifications and his actions in pushing for policy solutions.
"He has great credentials. His character is unblemished and he is deliberate in his thinking," Teller said.
While Edwards has received praise for votes on foreign aid and Iran sanctions, some of her actions have repeatedly come into question, particularly by her constituents in the Jewish community. Elaine Senter, a Silver Spring resident, noted that Edwards has taken a one-sided approach to Israel.
"She never was interested in the balanced picture of Israel," said Senter, a former president of the JCRC. "She had her mind-set on one picture of the Middle East, and it certainly was not a mind-set that was in the least bit open."
Edwards has received criticism for not supporting various letters and resolutions during her tenure. In 2009, Edwards did not sign on to a letter to President Barack Obama that urged renewed principles for peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. Also, in 2010, she did not sign a congressional letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that reaffirmed the alliance between the U.S. and Israel. Both letters sponsored by members of the House leadership, Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Eric Cantor (R-Va.), and signed by two-thirds of the members of the House.
In addition, she voted "present" on a resolution in 2009 that recognized Israel's right to self-defense following the 2008 war in Gaza.
"She has a pretty hostile attitude towards Israel," said Ken Levine, a Bethesda resident and former Capitol Hill staffer. "Frankly I find her views on the Middle East completely naive and not helpful."
What' controversy? Edwards' discussion of Israel spawns big 'huh?'
Washington Jewish Week
by Adam Kredo
by Adam Kredo
While the 2012 article "Primary Challenge in 4th" disclosed that the JCRC had paid for Glenn Ivey to visit Israel in 2005, the article below shows that a trip to Israel taken by former Rep. Donna Edwards, when she was an incumbent Representative, was paid for by the New America Foundation. AIPAC, through its foundation American Israel Education Foundation AIEF, usually pays for trips to Israel also known as CODELs, and arranges itineraries including who members meet, of incumbent Congressmembers. Some tensions at the JCRC and AIPAC about not having a chance to build a relationship with former Rep Edwards, that the New America Foundation and J Street had built with the former Congressmember, are described at the link (copied and pasted in case the link dies) below.
Edwards in Israel Community tensions linger as lawmaker takes first trip
Washington Jewish Week
by Adam Kredo
by Adam Kredo
As she drove through Israel's West Bank last week, Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) said that it became abundantly "clear" to her that Jewish "settlements really get in the way of a lasting peace."
America, the lawmaker said in an interview last Thursday after returning from her first trip to Israel, "would be making a big mistake" if it allows Israel to substitute "outpost closures" for full "settlement closures" throughout the country.
"It was so clear to me," Edwards recalled. "When you drive through the countryside" in the West Bank "and look at the hills where you have" large Jewish settlements amid smaller Palestinian ones, "you could actually see how that would impede any lasting peace agreement with borders that actually leave room for a Palestinian state."
And that's not all the freshman member of Congress observed: From observing a "shocking" session in Israel's parliament to a foray into Gaza, Edward's first trip to the region was not a typical tourist's romp.
Along with Reps. Brian Baird (D-Wash.) and Peter Welsh (D-Vt.), Edwards spent six days in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, meeting with political leaders from both sides of the divide, including Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor, Ron Dermer, an adviser to the prime minister, Sderot Mayor David Buskila and Palestinian Authority government ministers in Ramallah. Edwards also met with Palestinian political leaders Hanan Ashrawi and Mustafa Barghouti.
The trip was sponsored by the New America Foundation, a group that promotes U.S. engagement in the Middle East peace process, and whose Middle East Task Force co-director, Daniel Levy, is a close adviser to Edwards.
Following a meeting with Danny Dayan, chair of the Yesha Council, which advocates on behalf of Israeli settlers, Edwards concluded that "natural growth," or the view that settlement expansion is a natural and necessary process, is an obstacle to a functional two-state solution.
"It will be impossible to" form a separate Palestinian state "if settlements are allowed to continue to develop," she said. (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week said that the demand to halt "natural" growth in the West Bank is "unreasonable.")
Of the Israeli government's apparent refusal to halt the expansion of settlement communities, Edwards said that President Barack Obama could provide a much-needed diplomatic boost. "Obama's leadership right now in this process is really critical to where we end up," she said.
Edwards' desire for a more aggressive approach to diplomacy in the Middle East -- one in which America grabs the reins to force concessions on both sides -- led her to sign a letter last week urging Obama to be a key player in the push for a final peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians.
Initially sponsored by Reps. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Charles Boustany (R-La.) and Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.), the letter, backed by J Street and billed as the "alternative" to a similar congressional letter backed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, called on Obama to pursue a two-state solution aggressively and become fully involved in peace negotiations between the two parties.
As for the AIPAC-backed letter -- which differed by asking Obama to give the Palestinians and Israelis leeway in their negotiations -- Edwards did not join 329 of her colleagues in signing the missive.
"I wasn't comfortable with the language," Edwards said. That letter "really didn't speak to my concerns about what needed to happen in the [peace] process."
Edwards' trip also brought her to the halls of the Knesset where she met with Kadima Party leader Tzipi Livni, as well as members of the other political parties, such as Labor and Meretz.
Playing political observer as the Knesset members debated a controversial bill that would make it a criminal offense to, in any form, define Israel as anything but a Jewish and democratic state, Edwards says she was appalled when that measure passed a preliminary vote.
"It was really shocking," she said. "We watched the vote happen and we watched the debate, which was really fascinating because I didn't think it would win."
The bill -- which eventually died, but would have effectively silenced those who defame the state -- epitomized for Edwards "what it means to be in the Arab minority."
"As an African American woman, I really didn't have a perception of a significant minority population in Israel, and there is," Edwards explained. "It struck me that there are issues that are raised in any country when you have to balance the interests of the majority with the minority" so that "people feel like they enjoy the full breadth of their citizenship. In Israel, this is a work in progress."
Also a work in progress is Edwards' relationship with her local Jewish constituents, which has been strained at times. "The criticism to be quite frank has been that our office has not been open in meeting the Jewish community," Edwards said, dismissing the accusation as unfair.
Ron Halber, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington's executive director, disputed that. "The JCRC and other Jewish organizations have not yet had any individual meetings with Edwards one-on-one," he said. "That remains a point of concern."
Halber also said that while her trip appeared "quite comprehensive ... I still do remain concerned that some folks [leading the trip] may have had a certain [ideological] focus outside the mainstream American Jewish community." Edwards, he believes, would benefit from joining "the JCRC or other mainstream organizations on a trip to Israel so that we can ensure she's receiving, from our viewpoint, a healthy diversity of political perspective."
Edwards, meanwhile, says she has repeatedly welcomed the Jewish community into her office. "I've been actually looking back at our logs [of meetings] and we've had, particularly the staff ... over six, seven or eight meetings and phone calls with the local Jewish community" and representatives of AIPAC, Edwards said. "I don't understand the criticism."
One official at a Jewish communal organization, however, dismissed her claim, saying "for [Edwards] to suggest that she's had a meaningful, ongoing dialogue with the Jewish community in her district is laughable."
In particular, Edwards said she has met with at least four separate members of AIPAC, including Brian Shenkman, the group's mid-Atlantic director; Jeff Snyder, an AIPAC board member; and Hilary Kapner, a local AIPAC volunteer. In addition, Edwards recently spoke at a Shabbat program on health care reform held at Temple Shalom in Chevy Chase.
Snyder confirmed meeting with Edwards before she entered office, but declined to comment further. Others could not be reached for comment or did not respond to interview requests.
Josh Block, AIPAC's spokesperson, said in an interview that "since she's been a member of Congress, Congresswoman Edwards has not met with anyone from AIPAC, and while we have been pleased to see members of her staff, we look forward to the opportunity to meet with the congresswoman herself and discuss the issues of importance to the mainstream, pro-Israel community."
For her part, Edwards said she plans to hold a town hall forum on her Israel trip. Edwards' office also acknowledges receiving an invitation late last week to meet with the JCRC and four rabbis in her congressional district.
Edwards said that charges she has been unresponsive to the Jewish community's request for meetings are unfair. "We've had a lot of meetings, so I really don't understand," she said
Admitting that the Jewish community's relationship with Edwards has "gotten off to a shaky start," Halber said that it can certainly be "salvaged and hopefully turned into a positive working relationship."
By 2015 former Rep Donna Edwards had decided to run for the US Senate seat Sen. Barbara Mikulski retired from, by choosing not to run for re-election, against Maryland Congressional Delegation colleague then-Representative Chris Van Hollen. Van Hollen eventually won the April 26 primary and went on to win the US Senate seat for Maryland in Nov 8, 2016 general election. In 2016 former Md state delegate (District 20) and 2014 Md gubernatorial candidate Heather Mizeur repeated the 'meme' that former Rep. Donna Edwards had been 'unresponsive to constituents' on a different issue than Bess Teller and Elaine Senter were concerned with when they had been quoted in the article "Primary Challenge in 4th" in 2012. The same 'meme' of 'unresponsive to constituents' was used to ask two constituent groups for their votes for primary challengers to former Rep. Donna Edwards. Heather Mizeur's endorsement of Chris Van Hollen in the April 26, 2016 Senate primary race simply expanded the 'unresponsive to constituents' meme to voters 'more' concerned about other issues, such as labor and racial justice for NASA workers, than Israel-Palestine final status conflict resolution and peace.
Heather Mizeur is echoing what has been one of Van Hollen’s consistent attacks on Donna Edwards:
Van Hollen went after Edwards for what he has described as lackluster constituent services in the 4th Congressional District, pointing to a union of NASA workers at the Greenbelt-based Goddard Space Flight Center who recently said they didn't receive help from Edwards dealing with a complaint of racial bias.
“In many cases, she has not been there for her constituents when they're in need,” said Van Hollen, who represents the neighboring 8th Congressional District. “The question is, when you hear of a problem, what kind of action do you take?”
Edwards said her office did try to work with the group, and she dismissed the overall line of argument, noting she had been reelected four times.
