LAS VEGAS – Republican politicians have indicated whether they will enter Las Vegas this week to make public appearances at the annual event of the influential Republican Jewish Coalition.
But something else happened behind the scenes: the Adelson primary.
Over the years, an informal process called “Adelson First” took place, bringing politicians together with billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, founder of the Las Vegas Sands casino and one of the party’s biggest financiers. Newt Gingrich, who won more in 2012, won 5 million dollars from his family before he lost his presidential bid; in 2016, award It went to Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who eventually lost the Republican presidential nomination to Trump that year.
After Sheldon Adelson died, the process quieted down in 2021, but his wife, Miriam, is poised to assume the title of GOP kingpin. He’s no stranger to politics, but his involvement during the 2024 election cycle became even more apparent after the RJC met this week at the Venetian in Las Vegas.
“The importance of the Adelsons has never diminished. [Miriam] Since then, Adelson has taken a slightly different approach [Sheldon] Adelson is dead, but the mission remains the same,” said a longtime Republican operative familiar with the family’s thinking. “He will always protect his legacy and do everything in his power to protect the United States and our greatest ally, Israel.”
During the three-day annual RJC summit, Miriam Adelson met with prominent Republican politicians, including Montana Senator Steve Daines, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee this election cycle; Senator Rick Scott of Florida, who is running to become the leader of the Republicans in the Senate; and Florida Reps. Byron Donalds and Mick Waltz, both considering a 2026 run for Florida governor.
“Any politician who wants to move up in the Republican Party knows that the connection with the Adelsons is key,” said a Republican operative. “Twenty years ago, no one knew what RJC was, and today members of the state are falling over themselves to go to the Vegas event.”
“This is a direct result of the Adelsons,” the person said.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump did not attend the event in person, but he addressed the conference by video and was introduced as a “friend” by Adelson on Thursday afternoon.
“He’s our best friend,” Adelson said of Trump’s relationship with the Jewish community. “I look forward to him getting into the White House.”
In 2020, a super PAC led by Adelson spent 100 million dollars helping Trump’s failed bid against President Joe Biden; plans to spend more this year. So far, Adelson has personally given $5 million to the pro-Trump super PAC Preserve America through June, the most recent figures.
RJC executive director Matt Brooks said he believes the importance of the Adelson family’s role in national Republican politics will continue under Miriam Adelson.
“Both Sheldon and Miriam were passionate about these issues, and they are defenders of America and defenders of freedom and democracy around the world,” he said. “It’s very important to him and he obviously spoke from the heart today.”
Brooks said his organization will spend a record $15 million in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, Nevada and Georgia, where Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris could win with large Jewish communities.
Brooks said record spending for an election cycle has helped them increase their data capabilities and their ability to create the nation’s only “voter file of Jewish voters” that can specifically message them.
“Our messaging is very simple: the Jewish community for the first time in my life … doesn’t feel safe and secure,” Brooks said. “It’s a scary, scary time.”
The main focus of the convention is on the security of the Jewish population after the October 7 attacks by Hamas. He saw 1,200 people killed According to Israeli officials, about 250 people were taken hostage. More than 40,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Israel launched its military offensive after the attack, according to local health officials.
“Donald Trump is going to make it so that Jews can walk freely on the streets of America wearing a Kippah without feeling attacked,” Brooks said. “Jewish college students will be able to walk their campuses without fear of being attacked. These are the main issues in these elections.”
The group’s goal of returning to the White House and securing a Republican retake of the House and Senate are RJC and Adelson’s primary short-term goals, but the broader process of cultivating its ties to ambitious Republican politicians is also in motion. .
“He went down first [after Sheldon’s death]”, – said a long-time Republican consultant who is familiar with the family. “But in recent months and years, it has taken on a bigger role.”
While still seen as an important feather in the cap of any major Republican politician, Adelson has not been able to use that momentum to become the Republican presidential nominee in the last few accepted wins in a primary.
“I don’t think it really matters,” said a former adviser to Rubio. “In 2016, it didn’t matter to us, and big donors don’t dictate much in the party anymore. Donors will always be important to help fund campaign operations and stay competitive, especially in presidential campaigns, but good candidates with strong ties to the party’s core can beat major donor money.”
Still, there will be no shortage of ambitious Republicans lining up to make sure they’re on Adelson’s radar, including those aspiring to run for president one day.
“There are few things more important in Republican politics, and I don’t think that’s changed,” Adelson told longtime ally NBC News. “This weekend was a demonstration of that.”