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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has won reelection, defeating Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in Tuesday’s gubernatorial election and extending Democratic control of the governor’s office in a state that Republicans had hoped to make competitive amid growing voter frustration over taxes, affordability, crime, and immigration.

CBS News projected Hochul the winner at 9:03 p.m., just minutes after polls closed across New York. The Associated Press also declared Hochul victorious, securing another four-year term for the 68-year-old Democrat.

The outcome represents a significant setback for Blakeman, 71, who sought to become New York’s first Republican governor since George Pataki left office at the end of 2006. Despite an aggressive campaign focused on the state’s high cost of living and dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership, Blakeman was unable to overcome Hochul’s advantage in a state where registered Democrats substantially outnumber Republicans.

Hochul, who became governor in August 2021 following the resignation of Andrew Cuomo, won her first full term in 2022. Her latest victory gives her a second full term and extends the Democratic Party’s nearly two-decade hold on New York’s executive branch.

The race attracted considerable attention in New York’s Orthodox Jewish communities, particularly in Brooklyn, the Five Towns, and other heavily Jewish neighborhoods where Blakeman has maintained strong relationships with community leaders.

As Nassau County executive, Blakeman developed a reputation as an outspoken supporter of Israel and a vocal opponent of antisemitism. His positions on public safety, religious freedom, and support for law enforcement also helped him cultivate backing among conservative and Orthodox voters.

Throughout the campaign, Blakeman portrayed Hochul as responsible for New York’s affordability crisis, arguing that excessive taxes, government regulations, and rising utility costs were driving residents and businesses out of the state.

He promised to reduce taxes, lower energy expenses, strengthen law enforcement, and pursue tougher immigration policies. He also criticized Hochul’s relationship with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, portraying their political alliance as evidence that the governor was moving further to the left.

Hochul, meanwhile, sought to connect Blakeman to President Donald Trump, arguing that the Republican challenger would bring the president’s political agenda to Albany. She emphasized her administration’s efforts to reduce costs for families, including tax relief, expanded childcare initiatives, and investments in housing and public transportation.

The governor also defended her record on public safety, pointing to state investments in subway security, mental health services, and measures aimed at reducing gun violence.

Both candidates made affordability a central theme, reflecting widespread concern among New Yorkers about housing prices, property taxes, utility bills, and the overall cost of raising a family in the state.

Blakeman repeatedly argued that New York needed a change in leadership after years of Democratic control, while Hochul maintained that her administration was addressing the state’s economic challenges and protecting residents from policies pursued by the Trump administration.

The final days of the campaign saw both candidates travel extensively throughout the state in an effort to increase turnout. Hochul concentrated heavily on New York City and Democratic strongholds, while Blakeman sought to maximize Republican participation on Long Island, in suburban communities, and across upstate New York.

Hochul also campaigned alongside Mamdani and Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, highlighting the support she received from prominent figures within her party.

Blakeman, for his part, emphasized his ability to appeal to independent voters and argued that polling showed the contest becoming more competitive as Election Day approached.

Despite those efforts, most public opinion surveys throughout the campaign had shown Hochul ahead, frequently by double-digit margins.

The election also unfolded against the backdrop of several competitive congressional races in New York, including contests on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley that could play an important role in determining control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Tuesday’s voting was complicated in parts of Westchester County by problems with ballot scanners, prompting election officials to implement emergency procedures to preserve and count ballots. State election officials said the affected ballots would be securely maintained and counted.

For Hochul, the victory provides a renewed mandate to pursue her administration’s priorities in Albany, including affordability measures, housing development, public safety initiatives, and expanded childcare programs.

For Blakeman, the defeat ends a gubernatorial campaign that elevated his statewide political profile and brought renewed attention to Republican efforts to challenge Democratic dominance in New York.

The result also means that New York’s frum communities will continue dealing with the Hochul administration on a range of issues of particular concern, including yeshiva education, government funding for private schools, religious accommodations, public safety, and efforts to combat antisemitism.

Hochul will begin her new four-year term in January 2027, with Democrats maintaining control of the governor’s office as New York confronts continuing debates over affordability, education, crime, and the direction of state government.

Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has won the state’s closely watched U.S. Senate election, defeating President Donald Trump’s endorsed candidate, Michael Whatley, and flipping a Republican-held seat to Democratic control in one of the most consequential results of Tuesday’s midterm elections.

The Associated Press projected Cooper as the winner Tuesday evening, handing Democrats a crucial victory in their effort to regain control of the Senate. The race had been considered one of the party’s strongest opportunities to capture a seat previously held by Republicans.

Cooper, 69, will succeed retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who announced last year that he would not seek a third term following disagreements with Trump. Tillis’ retirement created an open-seat contest in a state that has supported Trump in all three of his presidential campaigns.

The victory represents a significant political achievement for Cooper, a longtime Democratic figure who served two terms as North Carolina governor and previously held the position of state attorney general for 16 years.

His Republican opponent, Whatley, 58, is a former chairman of the Republican National Committee and former chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party. Whatley entered the race with Trump’s strong backing and campaigned as a supporter of the president’s policies.

The contest attracted national attention because Republicans entered the election holding a 53-47 Senate majority, leaving Democrats needing a net gain of four seats to capture control of the chamber.

North Carolina was considered an essential part of that strategy, particularly because Cooper had demonstrated an unusual ability to win statewide elections even as Republican presidential candidates carried the state.

Cooper won the governorship in 2016 and secured reelection in 2020, both years in which North Carolina voters supported Trump for president. His success was widely attributed to his ability to attract independent voters and moderate Republicans while maintaining strong Democratic support.

Throughout the Senate campaign, Cooper emphasized economic concerns, particularly the rising costs of groceries, housing, healthcare, childcare, and energy.

He criticized the Trump administration’s tariff policies and its handling of the war with Iran, arguing that Washington’s decisions were placing additional financial pressure on American families.

Cooper also highlighted his record as governor, including his support for public education and the expansion of Medicaid coverage, while portraying himself as a pragmatic politician willing to work across party lines.

Whatley, meanwhile, sought to tie Cooper to Democratic policies on immigration, crime, and government spending. He argued that North Carolina needed a senator who would support Trump’s economic and legislative agenda rather than obstruct it.

The Republican candidate defended the president’s tax policies and promoted the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts, while accusing Cooper of being insufficiently tough on violent crime during his years as governor and attorney general.

Trump personally campaigned for Whatley and repeatedly criticized Cooper’s record, including his administration’s response to Hurricane Helene, which devastated portions of western North Carolina in 2024.

Cooper rejected those accusations, pointing to the work undertaken by state and local officials in cooperation with federal emergency management authorities following the storm.

Despite Trump’s involvement, Whatley faced significant difficulties throughout the campaign. Cooper consistently led in public opinion surveys and maintained a substantial fundraising advantage over his Republican opponent.

By October, several Republican organizations had reduced their advertising expenditures in North Carolina, reflecting concerns about Whatley’s prospects against the former governor.

The state’s large independent electorate also presented a challenge for Republicans. Unaffiliated voters outnumber registered Democrats and Republicans in North Carolina, making the ability to attract voters outside the traditional party bases particularly important.

Cooper’s victory extends an extraordinary political winning streak that began decades ago. He first entered the North Carolina legislature in 1987, later served in the state Senate, and won four consecutive elections for attorney general before capturing the governorship twice.

Tuesday’s victory adds a U.S. Senate seat to that record and makes him one of the few Democrats in recent years to win a federal statewide election in North Carolina.

The outcome is also a setback for Trump, whose endorsement helped elevate Whatley as the Republican nominee but failed to deliver victory in a state the president won in 2024.

For Democrats, the result provides a tangible gain rather than simply preserving an existing seat. Cooper’s victory transfers a Senate seat from Republican to Democratic hands, improving the party’s position as election officials continue counting ballots in other competitive states.

However, the North Carolina result alone does not determine control of the Senate. Democrats must secure additional victories elsewhere to overcome the Republican majority.

Cooper will begin his six-year term in January 2027, replacing Tillis and becoming North Carolina’s first Democratic U.S. senator since Kay Hagan left office in 2015.

His victory is expected to rank among the most significant Democratic successes of the 2026 midterm elections, demonstrating the party’s ability to win in a state that has repeatedly backed Trump at the presidential level.

Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff has won reelection in Georgia, defeating Republican Rep. Mike Collins in a closely watched contest that preserves a critical Democratic seat and delivers a significant setback to Republicans hoping to expand their Senate majority in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

The Associated Press declared Ossoff the winner at 7:55 p.m. Tuesday, less than an hour after polls closed in Georgia. The victory gives the 39-year-old senator a second six-year term and strengthens Democratic hopes of regaining control of the Senate.

Ossoff was the only incumbent Democratic senator seeking reelection in a state carried by President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Trump won Georgia by approximately two percentage points two years ago, making Ossoff’s seat an early Republican target.

Republicans initially viewed Georgia as one of their strongest opportunities to defeat a Democratic incumbent. However, Ossoff built a substantial fundraising advantage, maintained a consistent lead in public opinion polls, and benefited from a contentious Republican primary that divided the state’s GOP establishment.

Collins, 59, a two-term congressman and trucking company owner, secured the Republican nomination after defeating former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley in a June runoff. Trump endorsed Collins, while Republican Gov. Brian Kemp supported Dooley, exposing divisions within the party over its preferred candidate.

The general election campaign became increasingly contentious, with Ossoff portraying Collins as closely aligned with Trump and accusing him of embracing policies that had contributed to rising costs for American families.

Ossoff focused heavily on inflation, tariffs, healthcare expenses, and the economic pressures facing Georgia residents. He also criticized the administration’s handling of the war with Iran, arguing that its policies had contributed to higher energy costs.

Collins countered that Ossoff had supported the economic policies of the Biden administration, which Republicans blamed for inflation and increased government spending. He defended Trump’s immigration enforcement measures and argued that the president’s trade policies would ultimately benefit American workers.

The campaign was also marked by controversy surrounding Collins’ associations with individuals accused of promoting extremist and antisemitic views.

Ossoff repeatedly criticized Collins over social media activity involving members of his family and former staffers, including reported connections to white nationalist figures. Collins rejected accusations that he supported racist or extremist ideologies.

The Republican candidate also faced scrutiny over allegations concerning the misuse of congressional resources. Collins denied wrongdoing and dismissed the accusations as politically motivated.

Ossoff’s financial advantage was another major factor in the race. Federal campaign finance records showed that he raised more than $136 million during the election cycle, compared with approximately $13 million raised by Collins.

That enormous fundraising disparity allowed Ossoff to maintain an extensive advertising operation and campaign organization throughout Georgia, while Collins struggled to match the Democratic incumbent’s resources.

Ossoff first won election to the Senate in January 2021, defeating Republican incumbent David Perdue in a runoff that helped Democrats gain control of the chamber. He entered the Senate alongside fellow Georgia Democrat Raphael Warnock, marking a historic shift in a state that had long favored Republicans in statewide federal elections.

Before entering the Senate, Ossoff worked as a congressional aide and documentary filmmaker. He first gained national political attention in 2017 during an unsuccessful but unexpectedly competitive campaign for a Republican-held House seat in suburban Atlanta.

During his first Senate term, Ossoff became known for his aggressive questioning of administration officials and his criticism of government corruption. His campaign speeches attacking Trump and Republican policies attracted considerable national attention during the 2026 election cycle.

The senator’s growing prominence has also fueled speculation about a possible presidential campaign in 2028, although Ossoff has publicly indicated that he intends to serve his full second Senate term rather than pursue the White House.

His victory is particularly important because Republicans entered Tuesday’s elections holding a 53-47 Senate majority, leaving Democrats needing a net gain of four seats to take control of the chamber.

Had Collins defeated Ossoff, Republicans would have gained an additional seat and made the Democratic path to a Senate majority considerably more difficult.

Instead, Ossoff’s victory preserves one of the party’s most politically vulnerable seats and allows Democrats to concentrate on opportunities to defeat Republican candidates elsewhere.

The Georgia result also represents a setback for Trump, whose endorsement helped Collins secure the Republican nomination but was not enough to carry him to victory in a state the president won just two years earlier.

Ossoff will begin his second term in January 2027, remaining one of Georgia’s two Democratic senators as the new Congress convenes and the parties assess the broader results of the midterm elections.

Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas has won New Hampshire’s closely watched U.S. Senate election, defeating former Republican Sen. John E. Sununu and preserving a critical Democratic seat in one of the most competitive Senate contests of Tuesday’s midterm elections.

The Associated Press projected Pappas as the winner Tuesday evening, delivering a significant victory for Democrats as they battle Republicans for control of the Senate. The result denies Republicans an opportunity to capture a Democratic-held seat that had been considered one of their most promising pickup targets.

Pappas, 46, will succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who announced earlier this year that she would not seek another term. Shaheen has represented New Hampshire in the Senate since 2009, and her retirement created an opening that Republicans hoped to exploit.

The election pitted Pappas, a four-term congressman representing New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, against Sununu, 62, who previously served in the Senate from 2003 until 2009.

Sununu was attempting a political comeback nearly two decades after losing his reelection bid to Shaheen in 2008. His candidacy drew considerable attention because of his family’s longstanding influence in New Hampshire Republican politics.

His father, John H. Sununu, served as New Hampshire governor and later as White House chief of staff under President George H.W. Bush. His younger brother, Chris Sununu, also served as governor, holding the position from 2017 until 2025.

Republicans believed the family’s political reputation, combined with Sununu’s experience in Washington, could help them win over independent voters in a state known for its competitive elections.

President Donald Trump endorsed Sununu, although the Republican candidate sought to establish an independent political identity and emphasized his willingness to disagree with members of his own party.

Throughout the campaign, Pappas sought to connect Sununu to Trump’s policies, arguing that Republican control of the Senate would allow the president to advance an agenda that Democrats contend would increase costs for working families.

Pappas focused heavily on affordability, including housing expenses, healthcare costs, and the financial pressures facing New Hampshire residents. He also portrayed himself as a moderate Democrat capable of working across party lines while opposing policies he considered harmful to the state.

Sununu, meanwhile, criticized Pappas as a career politician who had failed to deliver meaningful results during his years in Congress. He emphasized economic issues, government spending, and the need for independent leadership in Washington.

The contest attracted substantial national attention and campaign spending as both parties recognized its importance in determining the balance of power in the Senate.

Republicans entered the election hoping to expand their Senate majority, while Democrats viewed retaining New Hampshire as essential to their efforts to regain control of the chamber.

Although New Hampshire has voted Democratic in recent presidential elections, Republicans have remained competitive in statewide contests. The state currently has a Republican governor, Kelly Ayotte, who previously served in the U.S. Senate.

Pappas, who was first elected to Congress in 2018, previously served on the New Hampshire Executive Council and in the state legislature. His victory represents a major advancement in his political career, moving him from the House to the Senate.

For Sununu, the defeat ends his latest attempt to return to Washington after a lengthy absence from elected office.

Pappas will take office in January 2027, replacing Shaheen and maintaining Democratic representation in the Senate seat.

His victory also creates an opening in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, where voters are choosing a successor in a separate race that has drawn considerable attention.

While the broader battle for control of the Senate remains dependent on results from other states, the New Hampshire outcome provides Democrats with an important victory by preventing Republicans from flipping one of the party’s closely contested seats.

{Matzav.com}

Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz has won reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida’s 25th Congressional District, defeating Republican Scott Singer in a closely watched contest that became a major battleground following the redrawing of Florida’s congressional map.

The victory allows Moskowitz, a Jewish congressman and outspoken supporter of Israel, to secure a third term in Congress despite competing in a newly configured district that President Donald Trump carried in the 2024 presidential election.

Moskowitz, who previously represented Florida’s 23rd Congressional District, was forced to campaign in new political territory after Florida lawmakers approved a revised congressional map earlier this year. The changes were designed to improve Republican prospects in several Democratic-held districts as the GOP sought to maintain its House majority.

The newly drawn 25th District stretches along Florida’s southeastern coastline, encompassing communities in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties, including portions of Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Miami Beach.

Under the new boundaries, Trump defeated Kamala Harris by approximately nine percentage points in 2024, making the district a significant Republican pickup opportunity heading into Tuesday’s midterm elections.

Moskowitz faced a formidable challenger in Singer, the former mayor of Boca Raton, who emerged from a five-candidate Republican primary in August.

Singer campaigned on reducing taxes, strengthening border security, supporting law enforcement, and cutting government waste. He also emphasized his willingness to work with President Trump to advance Republican priorities in Washington.

Moskowitz, meanwhile, focused heavily on affordability, including rising housing costs, homeowners insurance premiums, healthcare expenses, and the broader cost of living in South Florida.

The Democratic incumbent also highlighted his record of bipartisan cooperation, arguing that his experience working with Republicans and Democrats made him an effective representative for a politically divided district.

Before entering Congress, Moskowitz served in the Florida House of Representatives and later as director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management under Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

His tenure in that position, particularly during major hurricanes and other emergencies, helped establish his reputation as a Democrat willing to work across party lines.

Moskowitz has also become a prominent voice on issues affecting the Jewish community, including support for Israel and efforts to combat antisemitism.

He serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and is a member of the bipartisan congressional task force combating antisemitism.

During the Democratic primary, Moskowitz defeated progressive challenger Oliver Larkin, who had advocated ending American military assistance to Israel. Moskowitz won approximately 63.5% of the primary vote, demonstrating substantial support among Democratic voters despite challenges from the party’s left wing.

His general election victory is particularly significant because the district was among a relatively small group of Democratic-held congressional seats that voted for Trump in the previous presidential election.

Republicans had hoped that Florida’s new congressional boundaries would allow them to capture several additional House seats, potentially providing an important advantage in the nationwide battle for control of Congress.

Moskowitz’s victory denies Republicans one of those opportunities and gives Democrats a significant success in a district that appeared favorable to the GOP based on its recent presidential voting history.

The congressman will begin his third term in January 2027, continuing to represent South Florida as Congress prepares for the final two years of President Trump’s term.

Violent demonstrations broke out Tuesday evening in Yerushalayim’s Bar Ilan neighborhood as extremist protesters attempted to halt progress on the city’s light rail expansion, placing mattresses in the middle of busy streets and lying on them to block traffic.

The renewed unrest followed the installation of the first light rail station structures in the Bar Ilan area, a development that triggered fresh opposition from groups that have long protested the railway’s planned route through chareidi neighborhoods.

Demonstrators spread mattresses across the roadway and stretched out on them, preventing vehicles from passing and bringing traffic to a standstill. The unusual protest tactic quickly escalated into confrontations with police officers dispatched to clear the streets.

Jerusalem District police, together with officers from the Yasam riot-control unit and Border Police forces, responded to the disturbances and began efforts to remove protesters and reopen the affected roads.

According to police, the demonstration developed into a public disturbance as participants blocked major traffic arteries and disrupted normal activity throughout the surrounding neighborhood.

Police said an officer initially attempted to speak with the demonstrators and persuade them to leave the roadway voluntarily. When those efforts failed, the officer formally declared the gathering unlawful and instructed participants to disperse.

After protesters refused to comply, riot police and Border Police personnel began clearing the blocked streets. Authorities said officers would remain in the area until traffic could resume and public order was restored.

Tuesday’s disturbances followed a significant development earlier in the day, when construction crews installed the first light rail stations along Bar Ilan Street despite years of opposition from extremist groups.

The stations are part of Yerushalayim’s planned Green Line, which will extend approximately 20 kilometers from the Har Hatzofim area in the north toward Gilo in the south. Opponents argue that bringing the railway through the heart of chareidi neighborhoods will threaten the religious character of the surrounding communities.

The project has repeatedly been disrupted by demonstrations, vandalism and confrontations with police. Previous reports have estimated that damage to construction sites, equipment and infrastructure, together with additional security expenses, has reached hundreds of millions of shekels.

The repeated disruptions have also reportedly delayed portions of the project by approximately two years. Despite the opposition, construction has continued, with Tuesday’s station installations marking another step toward completing the railway.

Protest organizers have indicated that they intend to continue opposing the project, even as construction advances through Bar Ilan and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz has won reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Republican Brent Andersen in Florida’s 20th Congressional District and securing a 12th term in Congress despite a major redrawing of South Florida’s political boundaries.

The Associated Press declared Wasserman Schultz the winner at 7:09 p.m. Tuesday, shortly after polls closed, allowing the longtime congresswoman and former chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee to extend her more than two decades in Washington.

Wasserman Schultz, 60, became the first Jewish woman elected to Congress from Florida when she won her initial House race in 2004. She has remained a prominent Democratic figure, particularly on issues involving Israel, antisemitism, healthcare, and government spending.

This year’s election presented an unusual challenge for the veteran lawmaker. Following a Republican-led redistricting effort approved by the Florida Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, her previous congressional district was substantially altered, prompting her to seek election in the newly configured 20th District.

The district encompasses portions of central and western Broward County, including communities in Fort Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Lauderdale Lakes, Tamarac, North Lauderdale, Plantation, Sunrise, and Pompano Beach.

The seat had been represented by Black lawmakers for more than three decades, making Wasserman Schultz’s decision to enter the race a source of considerable controversy during the Democratic primary.

She faced a crowded field of opponents, including former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness, educator Elijah Manley, and community activist Luther Campbell.

Wasserman Schultz ultimately prevailed in the August primary, capturing approximately 45% of the vote and defeating Holness, her nearest challenger, by a substantial margin.

Her victory in the Democratic primary effectively positioned her as the favorite in the general election, given the district’s strong Democratic voting history.

Her Republican opponent, Brent Andersen, is a businessman who founded a commercial and property insurance company. Andersen campaigned on his experience in the insurance industry, arguing that his business background would help him address rising property insurance premiums and housing costs, major concerns for Florida residents.

Independent candidate Kedner Maxime also appeared on Tuesday’s ballot.

Throughout the campaign, Wasserman Schultz emphasized her seniority in Congress and argued that her experience would allow her to effectively represent the newly drawn district.

She identified affordability as a central concern, pointing to the rising costs of housing, groceries, utilities, gasoline, and healthcare.

Before her election to Congress, Wasserman Schultz served in both chambers of the Florida Legislature, establishing a political career that has now spanned more than three decades.

She later gained national prominence as chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee from 2011 until 2016, a position she left amid controversy surrounding the party’s presidential primary process.

Wasserman Schultz has also been an outspoken supporter of Israel and has frequently addressed issues involving the Jewish community, including concerns about rising antisemitism in the United States.

Her victory ensures that Democrats will retain Florida’s 20th Congressional District as both parties compete for control of the House of Representatives in the midterm elections.

The result also represents a successful political transition for Wasserman Schultz, who was forced to seek a new constituency following the state’s redistricting changes but emerged with another term in Congress.

She will begin her 12th term in January 2027.

Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles is projected to win reelection to the Lakewood Township Committee, extending a political career spanning nearly 25 years and securing another three-year term in one of New Jersey’s fastest-growing municipalities.

Coles, a Democrat who has been a fixture in Lakewood politics for more than two decades, was among four candidates competing for two seats on the five-member Township Committee in Tuesday’s general election.

The race featured Coles and fellow Democrat Samantha Stokes against Republicans Deborah Fuentes, an incumbent committeewoman, and Moshe Raitzik, a longtime community figure who previously served on the Lakewood Board of Education and currently serves as a fire commissioner.

Coles first joined the Township Committee in December 2001 and has served continuously since then, overseeing a period of extraordinary growth and transformation in Lakewood.

He has served as mayor on numerous occasions, including throughout the past decade, becoming one of the township’s longest-serving and most recognizable public officials.

Unlike municipalities where the mayor is elected directly by voters, Lakewood operates under a system in which residents elect members of the Township Committee, who then select the mayor from among themselves during the annual reorganization meeting.

Coles’ projected victory therefore secures his continued membership on the governing body, although his selection as mayor for another year will be determined separately by the committee.

During his tenure, Lakewood has experienced tremendous population growth, accompanied by extensive residential and commercial development and increasing demands on municipal infrastructure.

The township’s rapid expansion has brought significant challenges involving traffic congestion, road improvements, public safety, housing development, and the delivery of municipal services to a growing population.

Those issues featured prominently in this year’s local election, particularly as residents continued to express concerns about traffic conditions and the pace of development throughout the township.

The Republican candidates sought to address those concerns, with Raitzik emphasizing traffic congestion, road closures, infrastructure improvements, and the effects of continued development.

The election also took place against the backdrop of Lakewood’s unusual political landscape, where local candidates from both major parties have historically attracted support across party lines.

Republicans entered the election holding a 3-2 majority on the Township Committee, making the outcome of the two contested seats significant for the balance of power in municipal government.

Coles’ projected reelection ensures that he will remain involved in decisions affecting the township’s budget, infrastructure, municipal services, and development policies as Lakewood continues to grow.

The results remain unofficial pending the completion of ballot counting and certification by election officials. Final vote totals and the outcome of the second Township Committee seat were not immediately confirmed.

Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna has been projected to win reelection in Florida’s 13th Congressional District, securing another term in the U.S. House of Representatives and delivering an important victory for Republicans as the party battles to maintain control of Congress in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

Decision Desk HQ projected Luna as the winner shortly after polls closed Tuesday evening, allowing the Republican incumbent to retain her seat representing the Tampa Bay region.

Luna defeated Democratic challenger Leela Gray, who won her party’s nomination in August after receiving approximately 65% of the vote in a three-way primary. Independent candidate Tony D’Arrigo also appeared on the general election ballot.

The victory gives Luna, a prominent supporter of President Donald Trump and a member of the House Freedom Caucus, a third consecutive term in Congress. She was first elected in 2022, when she flipped a previously Democratic-held seat, and won reelection in 2024.

Luna, an Air Force veteran, has established herself as an outspoken conservative voice in Washington, particularly on immigration enforcement, government spending, congressional oversight, and support for Trump’s political agenda.

Her district, which includes portions of Pinellas County in the Tampa Bay area, has become increasingly favorable to Republicans in recent election cycles. Trump carried the district by approximately 13 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election, while Luna defeated Democratic challenger Whitney Fox that year by roughly nine points.

Despite the district’s Republican lean, Democrats had hoped that a favorable national political environment could make the race competitive. The Cook Political Report classified the contest as leaning Republican rather than safely Republican, reflecting the possibility of a closer race.

Gray campaigned as an alternative to Luna’s conservative approach, seeking to attract voters dissatisfied with Republican policies and the direction of the federal government.

Luna’s victory comes as both parties closely monitor congressional races across the country, with control of the House potentially hinging on relatively small numbers of competitive districts.

For Republicans, retaining seats such as Florida’s 13th District is an important part of their strategy to preserve their congressional majority and maintain support for President Trump’s legislative priorities during the final two years of his term.

Luna will begin her third term in January 2027, continuing her role as one of the more outspoken members of the House Republican conference.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is projected to win a third consecutive term, extending Democratic control of the governor’s office in one of the nation’s most reliably Democratic states and strengthening his position as a potential contender for the party’s 2028 presidential nomination.

Pritzker, a billionaire businessman who first took office in January 2019, entered Tuesday’s election as a strong favorite after building a substantial fundraising advantage and maintaining a prominent national profile as one of President Donald Trump’s most outspoken Democratic critics.

The projected victory gives Pritzker another four years to pursue his agenda in Springfield, including education spending, economic development, healthcare initiatives, and efforts to expand access to state services.

Pritzker was first elected governor in 2018, defeating Republican incumbent Bruce Rauner, and secured a second term in 2022 against Republican state Sen. Darren Bailey.

His latest victory would make him the first Illinois governor since Republican Jim Thompson to win three consecutive elected terms.

Before entering politics, Pritzker was known for his business investments and philanthropy. A member of the family associated with the Hyatt hotel chain, he has used considerable personal wealth to finance his political campaigns.

Tuesday’s race was a rematch between Pritzker and Republican Darren Bailey, a former state senator and conservative farmer from southern Illinois. Bailey had challenged Pritzker in 2022 but lost by a double-digit margin. This year, he again campaigned on reducing taxes, limiting government spending, strengthening public safety, and opposing the governor’s policies on immigration and other issues.

Bailey received President Trump’s endorsement but faced an uphill battle in a state where Democrats maintain strong electoral advantages, particularly in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. The Associated Press called the race for Pritzker within minutes of polls closing Tuesday evening.

Pritzker’s reelection carries historical significance. He becomes the first Democrat to win three terms as Illinois governor and the first governor of either party to accomplish the feat since Republican Jim Thompson, who served from 1977 to 1991.

The victory also comes as Pritzker continues to build his national political profile. He has become a leading Democratic voice against Trump and has frequently traveled outside Illinois to support Democratic candidates and causes.

Political observers have increasingly mentioned Pritzker as a possible presidential candidate in 2028, particularly as Democrats consider which governors and other national figures could lead the party in the next presidential election.

Pritzker has not formally announced any presidential ambitions, but his fundraising resources, national visibility, and record of winning statewide elections have made him a prominent figure in those discussions.

His reelection also ensures that Democrats will retain the Illinois governor’s office as the party seeks to preserve its control of state government. Democrats entered the election holding majorities in both chambers of the Illinois legislature, giving Pritzker substantial legislative support for his agenda.

The governor will begin his third term in January 2027, with attention likely to focus not only on his plans for Illinois but also on whether his growing national prominence eventually leads him to pursue the White House.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has won reelection to a second four-year term, defeating Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity in a decisive victory that strengthens his standing as a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2028.

The Associated Press projected Shapiro as the winner at 8:01 p.m. Tuesday, just one minute after polls closed across Pennsylvania, reflecting the overwhelming advantage the Democratic incumbent carried into Election Day.

Shapiro, 53, secured another term in one of the nation’s most politically important battleground states, which President Donald Trump carried in the 2024 presidential election. His victory represents a significant success for Pennsylvania Democrats as they seek to expand their influence in state government and congressional races.

The governor, who was first elected in 2022, campaigned on his administration’s record of increasing education funding, supporting law enforcement, attracting businesses, and creating jobs. He also emphasized his efforts to work across party lines in a state where Republicans have controlled the Senate throughout his tenure.

Shapiro’s running mate, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, was also reelected and will serve another four-year term.

Garrity, 62, a U.S. Army veteran who has served as Pennsylvania’s treasurer since 2021, sought to make the election a referendum on Shapiro’s handling of the state’s economy, taxes, energy policies, and government spending.

The Republican challenger, who received President Trump’s endorsement in January, argued that Pennsylvania needed new leadership to address rising costs and expand economic opportunities. She promised to encourage energy production, reduce taxes, and pursue policies intended to create additional jobs.

Despite receiving strong support from Republican leaders, Garrity struggled to gain traction against Shapiro, who maintained a substantial advantage in fundraising and public opinion surveys throughout the campaign.

Shapiro entered Election Day with a commanding lead in most polls. The RealClearPolitics polling average showed him ahead by approximately 26 percentage points during October, making the contest one of the least competitive major gubernatorial races of the 2026 election cycle.

The governor’s reelection comes four years after he defeated Republican Doug Mastriano by nearly 15 percentage points in 2022, establishing himself as one of the Democratic Party’s strongest statewide candidates.

Shapiro previously served as Pennsylvania’s attorney general from 2017 until 2023 and gained national recognition for his handling of major legal and political controversies.

During his first term as governor, he attracted widespread attention for overseeing the rapid reconstruction of a collapsed section of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia in 2023, an episode that became a centerpiece of his political messaging about effective government.

Shapiro has also emerged as an outspoken critic of President Trump, repeatedly challenging administration policies through public statements and legal action.

His political profile rose considerably during the 2024 presidential campaign, when then-Vice President Kamala Harris considered him as a potential running mate before ultimately selecting Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Since then, Shapiro has frequently appeared on lists of possible Democratic presidential candidates for 2028. His ability to win comfortably in Pennsylvania, a state considered essential to either party’s presidential ambitions, is expected to strengthen his national political prospects.

The governor has maintained that his immediate priority is serving Pennsylvania, although he has declined to definitively rule out a future presidential campaign.

Beyond his own reelection, Shapiro has invested considerable political and financial resources in helping Democratic candidates competing for congressional and state legislative seats.

His campaign directed approximately $10 million toward efforts to flip four Republican-held congressional districts and help Democrats gain full control of Pennsylvania’s state government for the first time since 1993.

Democrats entered Election Day controlling the state House by a narrow margin, while Republicans held the state Senate. A Democratic takeover of both chambers would give Shapiro considerably greater freedom to pursue his legislative agenda during his second term.

Among the governor’s priorities are increasing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, expanding education investments, and advancing additional measures supported by Democratic lawmakers.

While Shapiro’s own victory was projected almost immediately after polls closed, the outcomes of several closely contested congressional and legislative races remained unresolved Tuesday evening, leaving the broader political consequences of Pennsylvania’s election still to be determined.

Democratic Sen. Cory Booker has won reelection in New Jersey, easily defeating Republican challenger Justin Murphy and securing another six-year term in the U.S. Senate, according to projections by the Associated Press and NBC News.

The victory allows Booker, 57, to retain a seat that Democrats have controlled for decades and delivers an important hold for the party as it battles Republicans for control of the Senate in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

Booker entered Election Day as the overwhelming favorite against Murphy, an attorney, U.S. Navy veteran, and former local official from Tabernacle Township in Burlington County. Major election analysts had consistently classified the contest as safely Democratic.

NBC News projected Booker as the winner shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m., with early returns showing him holding a commanding lead. The Associated Press also called the race for the Democratic incumbent.

Booker has represented New Jersey in the Senate since 2013, when he won a special election following the death of longtime Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg. He subsequently won full six-year terms in 2014 and 2020 and will now begin his third full term in January.

Before entering the Senate, Booker served as mayor of Newark from 2006 until 2013. He later sought the Democratic presidential nomination in the 2020 election cycle and has remained a prominent national figure within his party.

Throughout his reelection campaign, Booker emphasized economic concerns, including the rising cost of living, tax relief for working families, and healthcare affordability. He promoted a proposal known as the Keep Your Pay Act, which would eliminate federal income taxes on the first $75,000 of household income for many taxpayers while expanding the child tax credit.

Murphy, who won a four-way Republican primary in June, campaigned on reducing taxes and government spending, supporting small businesses, protecting parental rights, and strengthening domestic energy production.

The Republican challenger also advocated tougher immigration enforcement and greater economic opportunities for New Jersey residents. However, he faced substantial obstacles, including a significant fundraising disadvantage against the well-established Democratic incumbent.

Republicans have not won a U.S. Senate election in New Jersey since 1972, and Booker had previously demonstrated his electoral strength by winning reelection in 2020 by approximately 17 percentage points.

Although President Trump made significant gains in New Jersey during the 2024 presidential election compared with earlier Republican performances, Democrats continued to hold an advantage in statewide voter registration and federal elections.

Booker’s victory also keeps him in the national political spotlight as Democrats begin looking ahead to the 2028 presidential election. The New Jersey senator has been mentioned as a possible contender for his party’s nomination, although he has not announced any plans to seek the presidency.

The result means that Republicans will not gain a Senate seat in New Jersey, leaving the broader battle for control of the chamber dependent on the outcomes of more competitive races elsewhere in the country.

[COMMUNICATED]

Exit Polls: I’m looking for words like ANGER and AFFORDABILITY. This will tell us what’s actually driving voters to the polls. The absence of those words may also mean that a bluewave has been overindexed.

Maury Litwack reporting for Mishpacha

Get real-time results and incisive analysis straight from Mishpacha reporters.

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Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar! party, announced Tuesday that his political alliance intends to move quickly to establish a government without Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, replace the Knesset speaker and repeal legislation it considers harmful to Israeli democracy.

Speaking after a meeting of leaders from the anti-Netanyahu bloc, Eisenkot declared that Netanyahu no longer commands a parliamentary majority and insisted that the parties seeking to replace him are united in their determination to form a new government.

“We will act quickly. We have two objectives ahead of us: establishing a national emergency government and carrying out measures in the Knesset,” Eisenkot said, outlining plans to install a new Knesset speaker, introduce legislation and overturn existing laws that he argues threaten democratic institutions.

Eisenkot said the proposed government would operate according to principles agreed upon by the participating parties, including preserving Israel’s identity as a Jewish, democratic and liberal state, based on the values of its Declaration of Independence.

A central element of the proposed coalition’s agenda would be the introduction of a universal service obligation, requiring citizens to perform military, national or civilian service. Such a policy would have major implications for the chareidi community and the ongoing dispute over military enlistment exemptions for yeshiva bochurim.

The alliance’s stated principles also include treating Hamas as a terrorist organization and pursuing the destruction of its military capabilities and governing authority.

The five opposition party leaders who met Tuesday were Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid, Avigdor Lieberman and Yair Golan. Following their meeting in Herzliya, they agreed to recommend Eisenkot to President Isaac Herzog as their candidate to form the next government.

They also agreed to pursue the replacement of current Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, a Likud member, although disagreements remain over who should succeed him. Lieberman has expressed support for Lapid, while Eisenkot’s party is seeking the position for one of its own representatives.

The dispute over the speakership could prove important because control of the Knesset’s agenda would give the opposition greater influence over legislative proceedings even before a new government is established.

Eisenkot sharply criticized Netanyahu and Likud, declaring that the prime minister’s parliamentary support had fallen to just 46 lawmakers.

“Beginning Tuesday, Netanyahu is a caretaker prime minister supported by only 46 members of Knesset,” Eisenkot declared.

Notably, Eisenkot’s calculation excludes United Torah Judaism’s seven seats, an apparent indication that he is leaving open the possibility of cooperation with the chareidi party. However, no agreement with UTJ has been announced, and the proposed universal service requirement could present a major obstacle to such cooperation.

Eisenkot also accused Likud of attempting to discredit the election results and warned that his political opponents would launch a campaign of misinformation aimed at disrupting the opposition’s efforts to form a government.

He predicted a wave of “spins and ugly, dishonest briefings” in the coming days, insisting that the opposition parties would not be intimidated into abandoning their plans.

Referring to the approaching anniversary of the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin, Eisenkot declared, “We will remember what we learned: In the face of violence, incitement and the erosion of the foundations of democracy, we will stand firm, without fear. Anyone who thinks they can intimidate the forces of change does not properly appreciate our determination and our commitment to the citizens of Israel.”

Despite the public declarations of unity, significant disagreements remain within the anti-Netanyahu alliance, particularly over the role of Arab parties in a potential government and the identity of the next Knesset speaker.

Golan has supported cooperation with Arab parties, while other opposition leaders have resisted such an arrangement. The bloc is consequently exploring whether an alternative parliamentary majority could be assembled with support from chareidi lawmakers.

Eisenkot said negotiating teams from the participating parties would begin drafting common coalition guidelines immediately, with the objective of preventing another election and ending what he described as Netanyahu’s continued hold on power.

A new Israeli poll released Tuesday evening shows Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s Likud party gaining strength following last week’s inconclusive election, while a clear majority of Israelis oppose the formation of a minority government led by Gadi Eisenkot that would depend on Arab parties for parliamentary support.

The survey, conducted for i24NEWS, projects 54 Knesset seats for Netanyahu’s right-wing and chareidi bloc, compared with 48 for parties aligned with Eisenkot and 18 for the Arab parties. The results come as political leaders continue exploring possible coalition arrangements amid the prospect of another election.

The poll carries particular interest because i24NEWS produced the election-night projection that reportedly came closest to the actual results of the October 27 election.

According to the new findings, Likud would emerge as the largest party with 28 seats, an increase of one mandate, while Eisenkot’s Yashar! party would finish second with 20 seats.

The Beyachad party would receive 12 seats, followed by the Joint List with 11. The Democrats and Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu would each secure eight seats.

Among the chareidi parties, both United Torah Judaism and Shas would receive seven mandates apiece. Ra’am would also win seven seats, while Religious Zionism–Zehut and Otzma Yehudit would each receive six.

The projected distribution would leave Netanyahu’s bloc seven seats short of the 61 required for a Knesset majority, meaning that even with its improved standing, the right-wing camp would still need support from outside its traditional alliance to establish a government.

The survey also examined public attitudes toward the competing proposals for forming a government, revealing substantial opposition to an Eisenkot-led minority coalition dependent on Arab parties.

A decisive 74% of respondents said they opposed such an arrangement, while 22% supported it. The proposed government would include Ra’am, headed by Mansour Abbas, and depend on the Joint List either abstaining or providing outside parliamentary support.

By contrast, 60% expressed support for a unity government headed by Netanyahu that would bring together Likud, Eisenkot’s Yashar!, Beyachad and Religious Zionism. Another 34% opposed the proposal.

That proposed unity arrangement would be tied to commitments on four divisive issues: chareidi military enlistment, establishing a state commission of inquiry, ending Netanyahu’s criminal trial and advancing a judicial reform agreement.

When respondents were asked to select their preferred political outcome, however, the results were considerably more divided. Some 34% favored holding another election, while an identical 34% preferred a unity government under Netanyahu.

Only 16% selected an Eisenkot-led minority government, while 14% favored a unity coalition headed by Eisenkot.

The poll was conducted on November 2 by Direct Polls, headed by Tzuriel Sharon, for i24NEWS. It surveyed 559 Israeli adults using a digital polling system and respondent panel, with a reported margin of sampling error of 4.1 percentage points.

The findings arrive before the parties’ consultations with President Isaac Herzog, who will be tasked with determining which Knesset member has the best prospect of assembling a governing coalition. With neither major bloc approaching a parliamentary majority on its own, the negotiations could determine whether Israel establishes a unity government or returns to the polls.

A bitter confrontation has erupted at the highest levels of Israel’s security and legal establishment over an investigation into suspected foreign interference in last week’s Knesset election, with Shin Bet Director David Zini and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara accusing each other of obstructing the inquiry.

The dispute centers on allegations of foreign involvement in the election and possible connections between hostile foreign interests and Arab Knesset members. Zini reportedly wants investigators to use expanded national security powers, while Baharav-Miara maintains that such measures cannot be authorized without sufficient evidence.

The controversy intensified Tuesday evening as Likud, Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionism accused the attorney general of interfering with the investigation. Some coalition figures demanded that she be removed from the case entirely, while opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot warned against allowing political considerations to influence the security services.

Likud claimed that Baharav-Miara was preventing investigators from questioning Arab political figures, including Ahmad Tibi, Mansour Abbas, Sami Abu Shehadeh and another Knesset member whose name has surfaced in reports concerning the allegations.

“The reports this evening are an earthquake for Israeli democracy,” Likud declared, accusing the attorney general of blocking the Shin Bet from employing security-related investigative methods and attempting to keep suspicions of a national security offense from becoming public.

“Baharav-Miara is working to cover up and sabotage the investigation into the contamination of the elections. This is what selective enforcement looks like,” the party said.

Likud called on Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg and the Central Elections Committee to examine the allegations and provide the public with answers.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir went further, demanding Baharav-Miara’s immediate removal from any involvement in the investigation.

“I demand that she be removed now, moved aside, and not allowed to interfere in the investigation into the manipulation of the elections,” Ben Gvir said.

“She is contaminating the investigation. She must not be allowed to extend her tentacles into it. The attorney general must step aside. The person who should manage the investigation is Shin Bet Director David Zini,” he continued.

Ben Gvir then made the explosive allegation that the election results had been improperly influenced.

“They stole the elections here! The people of Israel will not accept the theft of the elections!” he declared.

No conclusive evidence establishing that the election results were stolen has been publicly presented.

Religious Zionism also demanded action against the attorney general, arguing that the allegations concerning her conduct warranted immediate intervention.

“If the head of the Shin Bet is indeed claiming that Gali Baharav-Miara is obstructing an investigation that goes to the heart of Israeli democracy, then this is an earthquake,” the party said.

The party urged Justice Sohlberg to order Baharav-Miara’s removal from the investigation and demanded a comprehensive examination of suspected ties between hostile foreign elements and Arab lawmakers.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch joined the criticism, asking, “Gali, aren’t you tired of destroying Israeli democracy?”

Eisenkot, meanwhile, issued a sharply different warning, directing his criticism toward Netanyahu and Likud and cautioning Zini against allowing the Shin Bet to become entangled in political maneuvering.

“Those serving in Israel’s security establishment, law enforcement and public service serve the state, not the king. Woe to anyone who corrupts his authority and position for political considerations,” Eisenkot said.

He accused Netanyahu and Likud of attempting to destabilize the country’s democratic institutions following an election in which Netanyahu’s bloc failed to secure a majority.

“In their desperation, Likud and Netanyahu are attempting to carry out a pogrom against democracy and the rule of law. They are trying to drag all of us into a dangerous constitutional crisis. Unfortunately, not for the first time,” Eisenkot declared.

“That is precisely why they are neither worthy nor fit to continue holding power. That is why the majority of Israeli citizens voted against their continued tenure,” he added.

Eisenkot warned that the controversy could damage public confidence in the election results.

“At this difficult hour, politically and in terms of security, they are trying to sabotage public trust in the election results. Citizens of Israel, stand firm. This is a moment of truth for the future of the state as a liberal democracy,” he said.

Baharav-Miara responded to the accusations with an unusual public statement, insisting that investigators must establish a factual basis before questioning citizens or elected officials.

“Very unusually, and in light of erroneous reports, the attorney general wishes to clarify that in a state governed by law, citizens or elected officials cannot be investigated without evidence justifying it,” her office stated.

“If the Shin Bet or any other body possesses evidence justifying an investigation, it is invited to present it. Anyone who needs to be investigated will be investigated, but people will not be investigated without an evidentiary basis,” the statement continued.

The attorney general then accused the Shin Bet itself of delaying the inquiry by withholding materials from the investigative team established to examine the allegations.

“For two days, the Shin Bet has not transferred the investigative materials collected to the special investigative team established on the recommendation of Justice Sohlberg, in cooperation with the police and under the supervision of the State Attorney’s Office, thereby effectively delaying the handling of the matter,” her office said.

“The law enforcement system is acting quickly and professionally to uncover the truth based on the material in its possession, and investigative decisions will be made accordingly,” the statement added.

According to Haaretz, Zini has resisted transferring investigative materials to police and prosecutors, including intelligence concerning money allegedly received by a Joint List lawmaker. The report also alleged that he had excluded senior Shin Bet officials from aspects of the investigation and established direct communication with Sohlberg to bypass the attorney general.

Senior law enforcement officials sharply criticized Zini’s conduct. “He is operating like in North Korea. In a democracy, you do not investigate Knesset members without evidence,” officials were quoted as saying.

Additional reporting indicated that the dispute intensified when Zini sought to classify the entire affair as a national security investigation, a designation that would allow the Shin Bet to employ broader investigative powers, including surveillance and other security measures.

Baharav-Miara reportedly rejected the blanket classification, arguing that national security powers require evidence of relevant security offenses and that using such methods without proper authorization could jeopardize the admissibility of evidence.

During a lengthy meeting involving Zini, Baharav-Miara and Sohlberg, the parties reportedly disagreed even over how to describe the investigation publicly. Sohlberg ultimately proposed language acknowledging that the allegations could have a national security dimension without automatically classifying the entire matter as a security offense.

Separate reports indicated that Zini was seeking authorization to question Tibi, Abbas, Abu Shehadeh and a fourth senior Arab political figure. According to the reports, investigators had presented a stronger evidentiary basis concerning the fourth individual, whose identity has not been released.

The Central Elections Committee, meanwhile, has rejected suggestions that the suspected foreign interference necessarily means the election results will change. Officials have emphasized that even if wrongdoing is established, it does not automatically follow that the distribution of Knesset seats was affected.

Baharav-Miara insisted that substantial investigative steps had already been authorized at the Shin Bet’s request and that a joint team involving the security service, police and prosecutors would continue examining the allegations.

“Anyone who needs to be investigated will be investigated,” she said.

{Matzav.com}

Shas’s Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah has decided to recommend Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to President Isaac Herzog to form Israel’s next government, following Netanyahu’s public commitment to advance legislation protecting the status of yeshiva bochurim who are dedicated to learning Torah.

The decision, announced Tuesday, represents a significant development in the negotiations to establish a new coalition following last week’s Knesset election. It comes amid efforts by opposition parties to attract support from the chareidi factions, whose representatives could play a decisive role in determining who will form the next government.

According to Shas, the decision was reached after Netanyahu reaffirmed his intention to pursue a legislative arrangement addressing the status of bnei yeshivos and their military service obligations.

“In light of Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s clear and unequivocal statement reaffirming his continued support and commitment to regulating the status of Torah scholars, the Shas Council of Torah Sages has decided to recommend him to the President as its candidate to form the government,” the party announced.

The announcement followed a statement by Netanyahu criticizing opposition leaders who had met earlier in Herzliya and agreed not to rule out coalition negotiations with the chareidi parties.

Netanyahu accused the opposition of abandoning its campaign rhetoric against the chareidi community now that its leaders were seeking the parliamentary support necessary to establish a government.

“The hypocrisy we are witnessing now is outrageous. Suddenly, it’s no longer a ‘draft evasion law,’ but a ‘soft conscription law.’ Suddenly, they are no longer ‘parasites,’ ‘draft dodgers,’ or ‘destroyers of the state,’ but are being given a completely clean slate,” Netanyahu said.

The prime minister maintained that his position on the draft issue had not changed. He pledged to continue promoting legislation that would enable full-time yeshiva bochurim and kollel yungeleit to remain devoted to limud haTorah, while providing for the enlistment of chareidi men who are not studying in yeshivos.

Shas also condemned what it described as years of hostility toward the chareidi community by opposition politicians, accusing them of reversing their positions for political advantage.

In its statement, the party charged that left-wing leaders had conducted an unprecedented campaign of vilification and persecution against the chareidi public and lomdei Torah, whom it described as the foundation of the Jewish people’s continued existence.

Meanwhile, United Torah Judaism has not yet announced which candidate it will recommend. Netanyahu spoke Tuesday morning with UTJ chairman MK Yaakov Asher, who reportedly informed him that the party would wait for the return of Gedolei Yisroel from their trip abroad before making a decision.

During the conversation, Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to completing the draft legislation and warned against the establishment of a government dependent on parties he accused of supporting terrorism.

UTJ’s position has attracted particular attention because opposition leaders, including Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid and Avigdor Lieberman, are exploring ways to form a government without Netanyahu. Their discussions have included the possibility of securing support from chareidi lawmakers despite their previous opposition to arrangements protecting yeshiva students from conscription.

Religious Zionism, headed by Bezalel Smotrich, also announced Tuesday that it would recommend Netanyahu to Herzog. The party called for the formation of a broad Jewish coalition under Netanyahu’s leadership, arguing that he heads both the largest individual party and the largest parliamentary bloc.

Otzma Yehudit, led by Itamar Ben Gvir, similarly confirmed that it would support Netanyahu for another term as prime minister.

According to the current seat distribution, Netanyahu’s bloc holds 53 mandates, while Eisenkot’s opposition alliance has 48 and the Arab parties control 19. Neither side has the 61 seats necessary to command a majority in the 120-member Knesset.

President Herzog is scheduled to begin consultations with the Knesset factions on Wednesday and Thursday before deciding which candidate should receive the first opportunity to assemble a coalition. Eisenkot is currently expected to receive the greatest number of recommendations, although that would not guarantee his ability to establish a government.

For the chareidi parties, the central issue remains the future of the draft law and the legal status of bnei yeshivos. Shas has now publicly committed its support to Netanyahu, while UTJ’s leadership continues to consult with the Gedolei Yisroel before determining its next steps.

{Matzav.com}

Iran has rejected Washington’s response to its latest peace proposal, declaring that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz will remain closed unless the United States agrees to all seven of Tehran’s conditions for ending the conflict.

The announcement Tuesday came as President Donald Trump expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with Iran, even as he warned that American forces remain prepared to launch additional strikes against the country’s nuclear facilities.

Mohsen Rezaei, a senior Iranian security official, said Tehran was dissatisfied with the American response and would not consider reopening the waterway until Washington explicitly accepted and implemented its demands.

“America’s response to Iran’s rights and demands was not convincing, and they must fully and explicitly address Iran’s seven conditions and act upon them,” Rezaei wrote on X.

“Only in this case will the Strait of Hormuz be reopened,” he added.

Iranian officials have insisted that their seven-point proposal must serve as the foundation for any agreement. Among Tehran’s demands are financial compensation from the United States for damage sustained during the conflict, an end to American economic pressure and the removal of the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Tehran is also demanding a cessation of military operations throughout the Middle East, including in Lebanon and Gaza, where Iranian-backed terrorist groups have been involved in fighting.

Other conditions include the release of billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds and a reduction in the American military presence across the region.

Iran is further insisting that any agreement permanently end the war rather than merely establish a temporary ceasefire. Its proposal also seeks to exclude the country’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs from future negotiations.

The latest Iranian rejection follows several public statements by Trump suggesting that the prolonged confrontation could be approaching a diplomatic resolution.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Trump dismissed speculation that major fighting would resume immediately after Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections, arguing that American military operations had already accomplished their objectives.

“We had a war with Iran. We won,” Trump said. “I don’t know if you even call it a war because we haven’t been doing any fighting for months.”

Trump subsequently suggested that an agreement could be reached to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz while addressing the Iranian nuclear threat.

“Oil Prices are DROPPING LIKE A ROCK, down almost $10 a Barrel, A RECORD, because people feel that there will not be a War with Iran. Iran wants a settlement, as soon as possible. It could happen!” the president wrote on Truth Social.

The diplomatic impasse comes as Qatar and Pakistan continue efforts to broker an agreement between Washington and Tehran. Qatari mediators have reportedly presented revised proposals to both sides, with further responses expected as negotiations continue.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently indicated that Tehran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days of an agreement if Washington first carried out the required measures. The shortened timetable represents a change from Iran’s earlier proposal, which envisioned a seven-day implementation period.

The tensions intensified Monday when American forces carried out limited strikes against Iranian targets on Qeshm Island, near the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. officials described the operation as a defensive response after Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces fired at an American aircraft.

Despite the renewed military activity, Vice President JD Vance said the administration remained encouraged by the diplomatic contacts and believed further progress was possible.

During an appearance Monday night on Fox News with Sean Hannity, Trump emphasized that any agreement must eliminate Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons.

“We cannot let Iran, an evil nation, who has killed many of our people, Soleimani is an example, no longer with us, but killed many of our people, we cannot let them have a nuclear weapon, and we won’t,” Trump stated.

The president also warned that American forces could quickly strike Pickaxe Mountain, a deeply buried Iranian nuclear installation that has remained a potential target.

“We bombed out all of their potential nuclear power. Now, we might have to go after Pickaxe [Mountain], but that’s not a big deal. We can do it in, literally, we can do that in one hour, okay, as soon as we want, at any time we want.”

Trump nevertheless maintained that the Iranian leadership was eager to avoid another major confrontation, saying Tehran’s representatives “want to make a deal very badly, there’s a very good chance we make a deal.”

A senior Army general dismissed by War Secretary Pete Hegseth is under federal investigation over allegations that he disclosed classified military intelligence concerning Iran and Ukraine to reporters at The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, raising the possibility of criminal charges and a military court-martial.

Former Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was removed from his position last week following an investigation into suspected unauthorized communications with journalists. According to Axios, investigators believe the general passed sensitive military information to reporters and subsequently acknowledged making unauthorized disclosures during recorded questioning.

Three individuals familiar with the inquiry told Axios that Sylvia failed four polygraph examinations and made admissions during two videotaped interviews lasting more than two hours combined.

“The president has no tolerance for leakers, so Sylvia’s termination is the first step in the accountability process, not the last,” one source told Axios.

The Justice Department is examining allegations that Sylvia began providing classified information to Wall Street Journal reporter Michael Gordon in the fall of 2025. Investigators reportedly identified several interactions between the two, including a meeting at the Pentagon and another at a Silver Diner restaurant in Arlington, Virginia.

An internal Defense Department investigative report obtained by Axios describes how Sylvia allegedly used information from a classified document to brief Gordon about American military assistance to Ukraine.

“Major General Sylvia relied on notes he took while reviewing a classified secret report to orally brief Gordon on assistance to Ukraine,” the report stated.

Investigators are also examining allegations that Sylvia disclosed sensitive information about American weapons inventories and discussions involving Iran.

A separate legal review reportedly identified disclosures concerning “munitions stockpiles and high-level interagency discussions with Iran,” according to an individual familiar with the findings.

The inquiry has also focused on Sylvia’s use of Signal, an encrypted messaging platform, and whether communications with journalists were subsequently erased.

According to the Pentagon report, Gordon contacted Sylvia through Signal in June or July, although the general reportedly said he could not remember the precise contents of the communication.

“Sylvia is unable to recall exactly what was in that message,” the report stated. “But he believed it had something to do with Iran. He stated that he did not respond to the message and instead deleted it.”

Investigators said Sylvia acknowledged deleting the entire Signal conversation, potentially eliminating messages and records of calls exchanged through the application.

The Pentagon investigation also identified communications between Sylvia and New York Times reporter Greg Jaffe concerning Hegseth’s decisions to dismiss senior military officers.

Neither Gordon nor Jaffe has been accused of wrongdoing. The allegations concern Sylvia’s handling of information obtained through his military position, and the claims have not been established in court.

The investigation has also generated questions inside the Pentagon about how senior military officials handled Sylvia’s dismissal. The Joint Staff initially released a complimentary farewell statement recognizing his service, only to withdraw it after senior Defense Department officials raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding his removal.

“You don’t get four polygraphs deep without the head of the Joint Staff being briefed at some point. Why wasn’t he flagged, what red flags flared up?” a source familiar with the investigation told Axios.

Sylvia, a decorated career officer who previously commanded the Army’s 101st Airborne Division, had been serving as director for strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff, a senior position responsible for military planning and strategic advice to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Air Force Office of Special Investigations conducted the internal inquiry, and the Pentagon subsequently referred the matter to the Justice Department for possible prosecution. The general could also face proceedings under military law, including allegations of “conduct unbecoming of an officer.”

The accusations have generated disagreement among some military officials. Earlier reporting indicated that colleagues questioned the allegations, while one individual familiar with Sylvia’s position said he denied leaking classified information despite acknowledging contact with journalists.

The case comes amid Hegseth’s broader campaign to identify unauthorized disclosures from the Pentagon. The administration has expanded the use of polygraph examinations, established a joint effort with the Justice Department to investigate leaks, and tightened rules governing journalists’ access to military facilities.

The Pentagon has maintained that safeguarding classified military information is essential, regardless of an official’s rank or position.

Assistant War Secretary Sean Parnell warned last week that “classified information is not personal property. Leaking it for personal, political or professional gain is a betrayal of the trust placed in those responsible for keeping it.”

President Donald Trump’s ability to carry out his agenda during the final two years of his presidency hangs in the balance Tuesday as Americans vote in midterm elections that could either strengthen Republican control of Washington or hand Democrats the congressional power to obstruct his policies and investigate his administration.

With Republicans defending narrow majorities in both the House and Senate, the election could dramatically alter the political landscape. A Republican victory would give Trump additional leverage to advance his priorities on immigration, taxes, trade and national security, while a Democrat takeover of either chamber could significantly complicate his plans.

Republicans entered the election holding a 218-214 advantage in the House and a 53-47 majority in the Senate, according to Reuters. Democrats would need a net gain of four seats in either chamber to secure control.

Although several national surveys have indicated that Democrats are positioned to gain House seats, Republicans remain hopeful that strong turnout among Trump supporters will produce a better result than polling suggests. The president’s allies have pointed to previous elections in which surveys underestimated Republican support.

Trump has devoted considerable attention to the midterms, urging his supporters to approach the election as though he were personally seeking another term.

“You have to pretend I’m on the ballot because when I’m on the ballot, we get almost 50% more voters out,” Trump told supporters during a Monday telephone rally, according to CBS News.

The president described Tuesday’s voting as “the most important midterm election in the history of our country,” arguing that Republican success would preserve the momentum of his administration.

Trump also acknowledged that the president’s party has traditionally struggled in midterm contests, although he maintained that Republicans had mounted an unusually aggressive campaign.

“For some reason, the sitting president doesn’t win the midterms,” Trump said Monday, according to CBS News. “But we gave this a very strong shot.”

A Republican victory in both chambers would allow Trump to portray the outcome as a public endorsement of his America First policies, particularly given the historical tendency of voters to punish the party controlling the White House during midterm elections.

Continued GOP control would also make it easier for the administration to pursue additional tax legislation, immigration measures, changes to federal spending and healthcare policy, and the confirmation of judicial and executive branch nominees.

An analysis by S&P Global Market Intelligence suggested that Republican majorities would give the White House greater freedom to advance tax reductions, immigration restrictions and trade initiatives while limiting congressional resistance to the administration’s priorities.

Republican control of the Senate would be especially important for Trump’s judicial appointments, including any potential Supreme Court vacancy during the remainder of his presidency.

Democrats, meanwhile, have focused their campaign on the cost of living, economic concerns and the war with Iran, hoping dissatisfaction with the administration will translate into congressional gains.

Election analysts have generally viewed the House as the Democrats’ stronger opportunity, while several closely contested Senate races could determine whether Republicans retain their advantage in the upper chamber.

Nevertheless, Republican strategists argue that polling may not fully capture the strength of Trump’s political coalition, particularly among rural and working-class voters who have sometimes been underrepresented in surveys.

Republican pollster Patrick Ruffini has pointed to previous Senate contests in Iowa, Michigan and Ohio, where polling during the 2018 through 2024 election cycles overstated Democratic support by an average of 6.2 percentage points. Other polling experts have cautioned that predicting turnout in midterm elections is especially difficult because participation tends to be lower than in presidential years.

More than 57 million Americans had already voted before Election Day, according to figures cited by Reuters, exceeding the approximately 46 million early votes cast in the 2022 midterms. The election is also on pace to become the most expensive in American history, with candidates and outside organizations expected to spend approximately $11.9 billion.

Should Democrats capture the House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be positioned to become speaker, giving his party control of congressional committees, investigative hearings and subpoena authority.

Democrats could use those powers to scrutinize administration officials, federal spending decisions, immigration enforcement and other White House policies. They would also gain greater influence over budget negotiations and government funding legislation.

A Democratic Senate majority would pose an additional challenge, potentially slowing or blocking Trump’s judicial nominations, cabinet appointments and other confirmations. Any Supreme Court vacancy could become particularly contentious.

However, even a Democratic takeover of both chambers would leave Trump with substantial executive authority and the power to veto legislation passed by Congress.

The White House has already been preparing for that possibility. According to Reuters, senior administration officials, including Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, have examined ways to continue advancing immigration enforcement, tariffs, housing policies and spending priorities without relying on new congressional legislation.

Trump has also outlined how he would respond if Democrats gained control, suggesting that repeated presidential vetoes could eventually force negotiations.

“I guess I’ll become Mr. Veto,” Trump told the New York Post’s “Pod Force One” podcast in an interview excerpt released Sunday. “And then at some point, we’ll probably make deals.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent similarly argued last month that there would be “very little” a Democratic House could accomplish to derail the administration’s broader agenda.

Even with Republicans retaining both chambers, however, Congress could face difficult negotiations over federal spending and the debt ceiling in 2027. Analysts have warned that partisan divisions and disagreements within the Republican Party could still produce legislative stalemates.

The election will also influence the Republican Party’s direction ahead of the 2028 presidential race. A strong GOP performance would reinforce Trump’s standing as the party’s dominant figure, while significant losses could encourage potential successors and congressional Republicans to distance themselves from some of his policies.

Trump has made clear that he considers the election a critical test of his presidency and has invested considerably more time campaigning than he has in previous midterm cycles.

“I’ve never worked the midterms like I have this one,” Trump said in a recent interview with the New York Post’s Miranda Devine, according to CBS News.

“This is really because I think it’s so important,” he said. “We’ve done so well. The country is so hot. We want to keep it that way.”