Age: 53
Occupation: Restaurateur
Location: Great Falls, MT
Party Registration: Independent
Jewish Denomination: Reform
2020 Vote: Joe Biden
Current 2024 Vote: Kamala Harris
Family: Married, two adult children
News Sources: Great Falls Tribune, Billings Gazette, The Electric (local blog), Apple News, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Atlantic, Slate
Who are you voting for and why?
I’m voting for Kamala Harris, because she is an energetic and honest representation of what our country could become. I would very much prefer a candidate who stands for smaller government, who stands for free trade, lower but equitable taxes for everyone, and sane monetary policy. I would be thrilled with such a candidate. I really don’t care about party.
What is your greatest hope if Harris is elected and greatest fear if she isn’t?
If Harris is elected, my hope is that our country returns to respect for our small-d democratic principles. And that equality before the law becomes something that we respect as a nation. My biggest fear if Donald Trump wins is that this country and the great experiment this country represents get thrown away in favor of some sort of monarchical system—rule by men instead of rule by law.
Which candidate would be better for U.S. policy toward Israel?
Harris, over the long run, is going to be better for U.S.-Israeli relations, if only because she will be viewed as more of an honest broker with all the players in the Middle East. In the short term, Trump may support just about anything that the Netanyahu government proposes, but long term, Trump is detrimental to Israel’s ability to exist in the Middle East.
How concerned are you about antisemitism at home?
Since Trump’s election, a lot of antisemites seem to feel more comfortable expressing their views and being public in their antisemitism. We’ve never had security at our services in central Montana before, but we’re considering putting some in. I dislike the whole idea of adding security, the whole idea of not publishing the location of our services. It is absolutely tragic and horrible. It’s a shonda.
Are you concerned about the future of democracy in the United States and political violence post-election?
I’m not confident at all that we can survive unscathed. The transition of power is barely surviving at this point. The reality is the next three-to-six months are going to be a strong test of our commitment to our democratic principles.
The last (dozen or so years) have been some of the most soul-crushing ever. They have shown us some of the most eye-opening examples of how ugly our country can become. It’s up to us to show that we’re a better nation than this.
Are you doing anything on the ground on Election Day (or leading up to
Election Day)?
No. I have businesses to run.
I voted for Harris. It was a no brainer as far as I am concerned. I don’t want a fascist, felon and rapist in the White House. I think Trump is pandering to evangelicals when he talks about his support for Israel. In reality, he could care less. I am an inside poll observer and see all kinds of shenanigans going on with the Republicans. I also work to have absentee voters cure void ballots by contacting them to cure their ballots before the election. These are not noncitizens as the GOP would have you believe. I think it is important to secure our democracy. Israel is hugely important to me but as an American, it is not the only issue on the table this election. I have grandchildren to worry about and what their lives will be like in the future.