But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and funding for the government of Israel. How we check
Troy Balderson
- Backed with $15K by PACs we track that support U.S. weapons funding for the government of Israel (lifetime)
- Endorsed by AIPAC
Balderson wrote in May 2024: "President Biden’s withholding of security assistance to Israel is nothing short of catastrophic. As Israel continues to fight Iran-backed terrorists, we must be resolute in our support."
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You asked Troy Balderson where they stand.
Deep Dive
Balderson has represented Ohio's 12th District since 2018.
His position on the weapons themselves is in a post of 9 May 2024, confirmed by a volunteer: "President Biden’s withholding of security assistance to Israel is nothing short of catastrophic. As Israel continues to fight Iran-backed terrorists, we must be resolute in our support. Congress approved this assistance, and now it's time for @POTUS to do his job & deliver it."
That is an argument against the executive branch holding back assistance Congress has already approved, rather than an argument about how much to send or on what terms.
Nothing since January 2024 was located from him on U.S. aid to Palestinians. His recorded votes appear as badges on this card.
The record
Supported sending weapons or funding in 6 of 6 tracked votes
• Vote record imported from official House Clerk roll calls for H.R. 6126, H.R. 8034, and H.R. 8369. Other position fields remain under investigation.
How this mark works
We track key votes on sending U.S. weapons and money to the government of Israel. A check means every tracked vote they cast came down against sending more, on the side of peace and de-escalation. A question mark means a mixed record: they sided with sending up to half of the time. An X means they voted to send more weapons and money in over half of their tracked votes, even as the way those weapons and dollars were being used became more and more obvious. At exactly half, money this election cycle from a lobbying group we track, or an endorsement from a group that backs sending weapons, makes it an X. Only votes actually cast are counted. Where a candidate has no recorded votes on these bills, the mark comes instead from a reviewed reading of their public record (money from the lobbying groups we track, endorsements, and their own words since January 26, 2024). There an X also covers fully backing the conduct of the war by the government of Israel without significant reservations, and a question mark also covers speaking about Israel without saying clearly where they stand on U.S. weapons and funding. A dash means No Position Found: we found nothing in their own words about Israel, Gaza or the war.
See a dash? Ask the candidate where they stand, then send us their answer and we'll review it and update the mark. Or volunteer to help review candidates.
Voted to send weapons or funding in more than half of their recorded tracked votes. (Supported sending weapons or funding in 6 of 6 tracked votes.)
The money
$15K in lifetime support from the five lobbying groups we track
In their words
AIPAC (2026 endorsement)
Research log
The notes behind this card: what we looked at, what we found, and where each item came from.
U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel
- [Position, 2024-05-09] His post on X, confirmed by a volunteer: "President Biden’s withholding of security assistance to Israel is nothing short of catastrophic. As Israel continues to fight Iran-backed terrorists, we must be resolute in our support. Congress approved this assistance, and now it's time for @POTUS to do his job & deliver it." This is the statement the card leads with.
- [After October 7, 2023-11-02] His release on the emergency security assistance package, opened and confirmed word for word: "For nearly a month, Israel has fended off heinous attacks from terrorists who are intent on wiping them off the map," said Balderson. "This package provides our great ally Israel the equipment needed for their continued defense and says loud and clear that the United States will always stand with Israel and its people." The release notes the package replenishes American defence stockpiles, funds evacuation of American citizens, and is offset by rescissions. Per the research it also names Iron Dome, David's Sling and Iron Beam.
- [After October 7, 2023-12-30] Year-end legislative recap, as reported: records his co-sponsorship of the Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act, barring U.S. foreign assistance for Gaza until the executive branch certifies funding will not benefit foreign terrorist organisations and that all hostages held in Gaza are returned. From the weeks right after October 7. Not opened.
- His recorded votes appear as badges on this card.
U.S. aid to Palestinians
- [After October 7, 2023-12-30, reported] The Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act co-sponsorship above is a position on U.S. assistance to Gaza, conditioned on certification and hostage return. Recorded here because of its date.
Characterization of the conflict
- [After October 7, 2023-10-19] Statement, as reported: characterised the assault as a "barbaric terrorist attack" and an "act of war," said "Israel has every right to defend itself from acts of war and terrorism," and described Hamas as an "Iranian-backed terrorist organization." From the weeks right after October 7. Not opened.
Note the phrase "Israel has every right to defend itself from acts of war and terrorism" also appears in the Ohio delegation joint statement attributed to Rep. Joyce Beatty on this site. If both come from the same delegation statement it is group wording rather than either member's own, which is a further reason it is not on either card.
- [After October 7, 2023-12-30, reported] Called Israel "our greatest friend and ally in the Middle East." From the weeks right after October 7.
- [Prior, 2021-05-11] Affirmed "Israel's right to self-defense against indiscriminate rocket attacks from Hamas" (his Facebook post). Prior band by five years; not readable.
Related rhetoric and lobbying
- [After October 7, 2023-10] Original co-sponsor of H.Res. 771 affirming that the United States stands with Israel and condemning the invasion. Resolution text, not his wording.
Safety and antisemitism (context)
- [Prior, 2019-04-01] Led a letter with Ohio Republican colleagues to the Justice Department urging it to track and combat antisemitic hate crimes (Forward coverage). Prior band by seven years; safety context, never an answer about U.S. weapons or funding.
Note on sources
- Eleven sources found: one resolves to nothing, three are undated `balderson.house.gov/news/email/show.aspx` newsletters (two of them the same url), and three entries are duplicates. Two of his own dated releases could be read.
Also in this race
- ✓Opposes Jerrad Christian (Democrat)
All Ohio candidates.
See everyone on the Ohio ballot →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 Find Your Candidates for votes, funding and contact details.