Rep. Ryan Clancy holding Milwaukee fundraiser promoted by alleged ‘anti-Semitic group’

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State Rep. Ryan Clancy, the incumbent running for Wisconsin Assembly District 19 (east side of Milwaukee) against Jarrod Anderson in the August 2024 Democratic primary race, is holding a fundraiser in Milwaukee on Monday night. The event is being promoted by Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), a group the Anti-Defamation League has deemed as anti-Semetic.

According to documents obtained by the Wisconsin Law Journal, the ADL also filed a formal complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) charging JVP’s political fundraising arm with numerous violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act and FEC regulations.

“Despite the neutral tone of its name, Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) counts among its objectives an end to U.S. aid for Israel,” noting the group is known for its effort to draw attention to Jewish opposition to the state of Israel’s mere existence, the ADL website states.

According to the complaint obtained by the Wisconsin Law Journal, numerous financial discrepancies in the political action committee’s income and expense reports are alleged. The complaint further charges the group with illegally accepting prohibited corporate contributions and donations in excess of federal limits.

“Simply put, JVP PAC’s numbers do not add up, and despite repeated warnings from the FEC, the PAC has failed to correct the record,” said Steven C. Sheinberg, ADL’s chief legal officer in a June written statement. 

In almost unprecedented move, both Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley endorsed Jarrod Anderson, Clancy’s opponent. 

“Endorsing the challenger to an incumbent in the party’s primary happens once in a blue moon,” said Mordecai Lee, University of Wisconsin Political Science professor emeritus during an interview with the Wisconsin Law Journal on Sunday.

Also on Sunday evening, Johnson told the Wisconsin Law Journal he reaffirmed his commitment to endorsing Anderson.

“I fully endorse Jarrod Anderson for State Assembly. Jarrod’s commitment to health care, community development, public education and local government aligns with our shared vision for a more prosperous Milwaukee,” Johnson said in a written statement.

“His approach ensures that local concerns are prioritized while maintaining respectful dialogue on global issues. This includes a firm stance against any form of discrimination which has no place in our community. Jarrod represents the progressive, inclusive leadership that Milwaukee needs now,” Johnson added.

In an email obtained by the Wisconsin Law Journal on Sunday, former state Rep. Sandy Pasch claimed Clancy has been a victim.

“Yet Ryan is under attack, in large part because he has spoken up for a cease-fire in Gaza and opposed Israel’s genocidal war against the Palestinian people,” Pasch wrote.

As previously reported by the Wisconsin Law Journal, Wisconsin Democrats passed a resolution calling for an immediate cease fire in Gaza, sparking criticism from Wisconsin Republicans and the Jewish community, who said it’s unconscionable to call for a cease fire as there are still more than a hundred hostages in the hands of Hamas terrorists.

“This resolution does not align with American values. It absolves Hamas, a terrorist organization, and attempts to strip Israel of its basic right to self-defense,” said Roberta Clark, JCRC executive director, during a June interview with the Wisconsin Law Journal.

Clark said she was not permitted to comment on this particular story, “as a 501c3 we do not comment on candidates/candidacy.”

Pasch went one step further, noting how Clancy supported the illegal Pro-Hamas encampments on the University of Wisconsin Madison and Milwaukee campuses, which ultimately cost the UW-Milwaukee chancellor his job.

During an interview with the Wisconsin Law Journal on Sunday, Anderson said he has chosen to focus his campaign on issues directly impacting his constituents in Milwaukee versus what’s happening abroad.

“While Representative Clancy has made the conflict in the Middle East the cornerstone of his campaign, I have focused on the issues directly affecting Milwaukee such as making health care cheaper, streets safer and public schools better able to provide quality education. That is why I have received endorsements from Milwaukee’s County Executive David Crowley and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, as well as a host of other elected officials who have served with Representative Clancy, which affirm their confidence in my honesty and commitment to our community,” Anderson said in a written statement.

Anderson also noted while he supports the right to peaceful protest, Clancy went too far when he held legislative office hours from the illegal encampments.

“I respect the right of all individuals to engage in peaceful advocacy and understand the importance of community voices in global discussions. This conversation should be inclusive and respect diverse perspectives. Representative Clancy’s support of the protests on UWM’s campus crossed a line when he chose to hold official legislative office hours from the encampment, effectively barring many of his constituents from accessing their Representative. As a legislator, I will aim to foster unity and cooperation, not division,” Anderson said.

Anderson also noted during his tenure with the Common Ground Health Cooperative, he worked to ensure Milwaukee residents had access to essential health care.

“My foundational role at the Common Ground Healthcare Foundation has focused on empowering our community through educational programs and civic engagement. These efforts exemplify my approach to public service — actively working to enhance education and expand economic opportunities, I am committed to driving real, impactful change for Milwaukee,” Anderson added.

The Wisconsin Law Journal reached out to Clancy’s campaign on Monday asking if Clancy felt his viewpoints against Israel were in alignment with his constituents and what his need was to focus on issues abroad instead of issues in Milwaukee.

Clancy responded in an email Monday defending his anti-Israel stance.

“The issue of Palestine has come before us multiple times while in office. As it turns out, folks in Wisconsin are concerned with tens of thousands of people dying at the hands of weapons and support provided by their government,” Clancy said in a written statement.

“The vast majority of my constituents are clearly opposed to genocide. I represent both Jewish and Palestinian people who have lost loved ones to this horror, and which would be ended more quickly by a ceasefire,” Clancy added, while taking am at the ADL.

“Why the opinion of the ADL, which has been recently labeled as unreliable even by Wikipedia, is a source you’re concerned with?” Clancy responded.

Although promoted by JVP, Monday night’s fundraiser for Clancy is also hosted by a number of individuals, including State Sen. Chris Larson, who has been vocal about speaking up against Israel.

In a April 30, 2024 Facebook Post, Larson claimed the encampments were legal, despite both University and elected officials citing Wisconsin Statutes that prohibited the encampments.

Larson who deferred Wisconsin Law Journal questions to Clancy, also called Israel’s response to the kidnaping, rape and murder of innocent women and children “genocide.”