Jewish Democratic Candidate Alma Hernandez Wins Arizona Senate Primary Amid Antisemitism Allegations
Alma Hernandez, a 33-year-old Jewish Democratic legislator who identifies as a proud Zionist, won the Arizona State Senate primary for Tucson's 20th district with 54% of the vote. She defeated former city council member Rocky Perez by an 8% margin despite a campaign against her that was widely condemned in the Jewish community as antisemitic. Perez’s campaign included accusations that Hernandez was influenced by "overseas forces" and labeled her an "enabler of genocide." He also claimed Hernandez was funded by AIPAC, although the pro-Israel lobby does not fund state-level races. Perez solicited donations with a call to "oust a Zionist."
Hernandez’s pro-Israel stance and past votes alongside Republicans caused friction within her own party. Local Democratic leaders, including Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, supported Perez and did not condemn his rhetoric. Jewish community leaders warned party officials in writing that Perez’s language echoed classic antisemitic tropes portraying Jews as foreign agents of Israel, but their concerns were ignored. The Southern Arizona Jewish Resilience Center also sent a letter highlighting Perez’s repeated public statements promoting antisemitic narratives, which likewise went unanswered.
After the unofficial results were announced, Hernandez said voters rejected antisemitism and the agenda of the Democratic Socialists. She emphasized that her victory came through grassroots efforts rather than online outrage or establishment backing, promising to remain authentic and unapologetic. Given the district’s strong Democratic majority, Hernandez is expected to win the general election in November easily.
Hernandez’s win contrasts with recent successes by progressive left populists in other states’ primaries, such as Colorado and New York. In the same week in Arizona, Democratic Congressman Greg Stanton also defeated an anti-Israel challenger, Kai Newkirk, who had criticized U.S. support for Jerusalem and accused Israel of interfering in the election. Stanton won with 62% of the vote.
