Since records began, the United States has seen a considerable number of Jewish politicians at various levels of government. Here's a breakdown based on historical data:
U.S. Congress:
Senate: Since 1845, when David Levy Yulee became the first Jewish member of the U.S. Senate, there have been numerous Jewish Senators. As of the latest counts, there are 10 Jewish Senators currently serving.
House of Representatives: The first Jewish member was Lewis Charles Levin in 1845. Over the years, many more have followed. Currently, there are 27 Jewish members in the House of Representatives.
Cabinet Members and Other High Offices:
Notable Jewish figures have served in high-ranking government positions, including Secretaries of State like Henry Kissinger, Secretaries of the Treasury like Henry Morgenthau Jr., and Justices of the Supreme Court like Louis Brandeis and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
State and Local Levels:
At the state level, there have been Jewish governors, such as Washington Bartlett of California in 1887, and numerous mayors, state legislators, and other local officials throughout the history of the United States.
While it's challenging to provide an exact count of all Jewish politicians who have served in the U.S. due to the extensive historical span and the varying personal identification of individuals with their Jewish heritage, over 300 Jewish individuals have served in Congress alone since 1845. This number does not include those who served at the state or local levels, which would significantly increase the total count.
Here's a summary of some key milestones:
Senators: Over 30 since 1845.
Representatives: Over 270 since 1845.
Cabinet Members, Supreme Court Justices, and other high-ranking officials: Numerous, with at least 10 in Cabinet positions, several Supreme Court Justices, and other significant roles.
This count reflects those who publicly identified as Jewish or were known to have Jewish heritage. Keep in mind that personal identification with Judaism can vary, and not all individuals with Jewish ancestry might have publicly identified as Jewish during their political careers.
