A Few New Jews

Immediately after Election Day, it looked like the 112th Congress would contain 12 Jewish senators and 27 congresspersons, including a second Jewish House Republican—Nan Hayworth of New York—to go along with incoming Majority Leader Eric Cantor. [UPDATE: Hayworth is not Jewish, but considers herself an “honorary Jew” because she is married to one.]

But not so fast! Gabrielle Giffords, an incumbent Democratic congresswoman from Arizona, was declared the narrow victor late Friday night; and Randy Altschuler is looking more likely to become the third Jewish Republican congressperson pending the counting of 9,000 absentee ballots in his Long Island district.

And! Georgia just elected its first-ever Jew to a statewide position: Republican Sam Olens will be the Peach State’s attorney general. The best part? He’s from Jersey.

Giffords Ekes Out Victory, Altschuler in Play [JTA]
Ground-Breaking News from Georgia [JustASC]
Earlier: It Happened Last Night