Midterms 2026
Abdul El-Sayed Becomes First Senate Candidate Backed by Pro-Palestine Jewish Group
The political arm of Jewish Voice for Peace, known for protesting the genocide in Gaza, is wading into the race for the open Senate seat in Michigan.
Jonah Valdez
Jonah Valdez is a reporter for The Intercept covering politics, U.S. foreign policy, Israel and Palestine, human rights issues, and protest movements for social justice.
He previously was a staff writer with the Los Angeles Times where he joined the paper as an inaugural member of the L.A. Times Fellowship. For the Times, Valdez covered stories about environmental justice, gentrification, transportation, labor, pop culture, and the Hollywood industry. Valdez got his start covering local news for the Southern California News Group. His work can also be found in The Guardian, Voice of San Diego, and the San Diego-Union Tribune. He was raised in San Diego and now resides in Los Angeles, where he also writes poetry and is working on his first collection.
He previously was a staff writer with the Los Angeles Times where he joined the paper as an inaugural member of the L.A. Times Fellowship. For the Times, Valdez covered stories about environmental justice, gentrification, transportation, labor, pop culture, and the Hollywood industry. Valdez got his start covering local news for the Southern California News Group. His work can also be found in The Guardian, Voice of San Diego, and the San Diego-Union Tribune. He was raised in San Diego and now resides in Los Angeles, where he also writes poetry and is working on his first collection.
Contacts:
- jonah.valdez@theintercept.com
- @jonahmv.05 on Signal
- @jonahmv on X
Posts:
Midterms 2026
Once a Target of TrackAIPAC, Ro Khanna Gains Its Endorsement
With endorsements and a new pledge for lawmakers, TrackAIPAC is flexing its growing influence on the Capitol.
Midterms 2026
Democratic Socialist Overcomes GOP-Funded Opponent to Advance in Los Angeles Mayor Race
City Councilmember Nithya Raman will face off against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the November general election.
Midterms 2026
Establishment Dems Stave Off the Left in Key California Congressional Primaries
State Sen. Scott Wiener and Rep. Jimmy Gomez easily advanced ahead of insurgent candidates who called out their positions on Israel.
Midterms 2026
The Los Angeles Left Is at War With Itself Over the Mayor’s Race
Rae Huang supporters say Nithya Raman is compromised. Raman’s base calls Huang a spoiler. Looming over it all: reality TV star Spencer Pratt.
Israel’s War on Gaza
Company Behind California Chemical Leak Was Building F-35 Parts Amid Rush of Orders From U.S. and Israel
The military contractor whose leak displaced 50,000 people makes millions aiding fighter jet production for Lockheed Martin.
Midterms 2026
Corporate Interests Paid for Haley Stevens’s Trip to Portugal — and Her Campaign Ads
Center Forward sent Stevens — and her mom — to a banking and crypto conference. Now it's spending millions on ads in Michigan.
Midterms 2026
This California Congressional Hopeful Opposes a Billionaire Tax. So Do His Tech CEO Backers.
The largest individual donor to a PAC backing Scott Wiener has spent millions fighting billionaire tax measures.
Israel’s War on Gaza
Democrats Are Split Over What It Means to Block Israel Weapons Deals
There’s a divide between those seeking to end all U.S. weapons deals with Israel and those who want to allow some exceptions.
Midterms 2026
The Democrats Don’t Know Who They’ll Be in 2028. Michigan May Offer an Answer.
The outrage over Abdul El-Sayed’s appearance with Hasan Piker reveals a schism that runs deeper than his Senate primary race against Mallory McMorrow.