Michele Tafoya
No statement was located from Tafoya on U.S. weapons or money for the government of Israel or on aid to Palestinians. Her podcast record runs one way: 2025 episodes pushing back on genocide accusations against Israel and on antisemitism, and JTA calls her the race's "pro-Israel Republican candidate."
Tafoya, the former NBC Sports broadcaster turned conservative commentator, won the August 11, 2026 Republican Senate primary. She has taken no located position on the aid itself: no statement on U.S. military aid packages, weapons sales, or money to Palestinians.
What she has is a media record, and its direction is consistent. Her podcast hosted the Anti-Defamation League's Jonathan Greenblatt for an April 2025 episode titled "Standing Up Against Anti-Semitism," where she questioned why protesters were "marching against Israel"; an August 2025 episode titled "The Truth About Gaza", reported to push back on accusations that Israel is committing genocide; and October 2025 episodes on the hostages and on Israel's founding. In October 2025 she appeared at a Jewish National Fund conference event alongside Israel's consul general in New York, speaking about defending the State of Israel. JTA's race coverage identifies her simply as the "pro-Israel Republican candidate" opposite Peggy Flanagan.
A commentator's episodes and appearances tell a voter her sympathies; they do not say what she would vote to send, fund, or withhold. If you want that answer, you are better placed to get it than we are: ask Tafoya directly and send us the reply.
Research
U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel
- No detailed statement, policy paper, or legislative stance located as of August 2026 (we searched her campaign and commentary record).
- [Position, 2026-03-20, reported] Commentary urging Americans to absorb gas-price impacts of Middle East conflicts involving Israel ("one less trip to Starbucks"); an economic remark, not an aid position (YouTube short, unwatched).
U.S. aid to Palestinians
- Nothing located.
Characterization of the conflict
- [Reaction window, 2023-10-18] Podcast episode "What to know about Israel and Hamas" with JNS editor Jonathan Tobin; challenged rhetoric labeling Israel an "apartheid state" (Apple Podcasts). Off the card; research page only. The cardFront cites her 2025 episodes instead.
- [Position, 2025-08-18, reported] Episode "The Truth About Gaza" with Andrew Fox, pushing back on genocide accusations (YouTube, unwatched; Spotify).
- [Position, 2025-10-13, reported] Episode "Now that the hostages are home, what is next?" with Jonathan Schanzer (YouTube short, unwatched).
- [Position, 2025-10-19, reported] Episode "The Truth About Israel's 'War of Independence'" (YouTube, unwatched).
Related rhetoric and lobbying
- [Position, 2025-10-27, reported] Appeared on The Erin Molan Show alongside Israel's Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis, at the JNF Conference; spoke about defending the State of Israel and Jewish identity.
- [Position, 2026-08-11] JTA identifies her as the "pro-Israel Republican candidate" (read and verified; the article contains no direct Tafoya statements). Race contrast coverage: Forward, CBS Minnesota primary results.
Safety and antisemitism (context)
- [Position, 2025-04-21] Episode "Standing Up Against Anti-Semitism" with Anti-Defamation League chief executive Jonathan Greenblatt; condemned rising antisemitic incidents; questioned why protesters were "marching against Israel" (Apple Podcasts).
- [Position, 2025-2026, reported] Podcast discussions with student activists (e.g., Eyal Yakoby) on campus antisemitism, advocating security for Jewish students (goodpods source 403).
Also in this race: Peggy Flanagan (Democrat), Marisa Simonetti (Other), Edward Harold Tambornino (Other), Rebecca Whiting (Libertarian) · All Minnesota candidates.
See the full record →But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and funding for the government of Israel. Every claim on this page goes through at least two verification steps. Open the interactive card for votes, funding and contact details.