Dorchinsky once identified with Democrats as a “tree-hugging vegetarian and liberal in the classic sense.” But she’s now a split-ticket voter who considers herself “politically homeless” and calls Ossoff’s record “extremely disappointing” and “frustrating.” She is among those grappling with a choice between Ossoff and Republican nominee Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), who has baggage of his own that’s spurned Jewish voters.

“I listen to people say, ‘Vote blue, no matter who.’ But I’ve stopped voting party lines a long time ago. I learned that it’s better to vote for an individual, someone that may actually mean what they say, than simply based on party lines,” Dorchinsky said in an interview. “I noticed that liberal didn’t mean liberal anymore, and progressive was suddenly like Jew hate code.”

Ossoff, who was sworn into office in 2021 using a book of Hebrew scripture, has described his support for Israel as “ironclad” and that his voting record strikes a balance. He’s defended his positions as a way to criticize the conservative Israeli government and its actions in the Gaza war while still supporting the country’s security against terrorism.

The Ossoff campaign declined to comment for this story.

Atlanta Jewish Times Publisher Michael Morris, in a scathing rebuke, sought to dismantle Ossoff’s reasoning.

“When a rhetorical bill reaches the floor — condemning Hamas after Oct. 7 or affirming Israel’s right to defend itself — you vote with heartfelt sympathy for Israel,” Morris wrote in an open letter. “But when a bill offers Israel tangible strategic support — munitions, rifles, bombs, military and financial assistance — your record is abysmal, and you throw Israel under the bus. You are with Israel on the votes that cost you nothing, and against it on the votes that actually matter. All that heartfelt sympathy is smoke and mirrors.”

Ossoff, a potential 2028 presidential contender, has not responded to the criticism.

Collins has used the opportunity to assail the Senate Democrat as a “sellout who is too afraid to stand up for what’s right when his next political promotion is on the line.” In a statement, the GOP nominee said further that he’s “stood with Israel by voting to fund its missile defenses, punish Hamas and their financial backers, and bring the October 7 hostages home, while Ossoff has voted against Israel’s right to defend itself at every opportunity.”

But Jewish voters hoping to find greater refuge with Collins may be disappointed.

The second-term congressman has faced his own controversies that exist largely from his personal life. Most notably, his son-in-law, who’s been in close proximity to his Senate campaign, has shared posts online promoting white supremacy and antisemitism. Collins hasn’t echoed those views during his time in office or the campaign trail and has distanced himself from his son-in-law while condemning racism and antisemitism.

However, the news came shortly after it was revealed earlier this year by Slate that Collins’s former chief of staff, Kip Talley, was in a group chat with prominent white nationalists that included Nick Fuentes and Richard Spencer and tried to leverage his power to free an incarcerated Holocaust denier. Talley told the outlet at the time that he acted in a personal capacity to “help a suffering inmate connect with counsel.”

“I’m going to have a real hard time when it comes to deciding who to vote for, because unfortunately, I’m not thrilled with his competitor, either,” Dorchinsky said of Ossoff. “I look forward to the day I’m excited to vote again.”

On the fundraising front, historically reliable Jewish donors aren’t abandoning the Democratic Party altogether. But they are being more selective on a candidate-by-candidate basis to bolster those they deem sufficiently pro-Israel and stewards against antisemitism.

“I’ve given to the DNC, the Democratic Party, all the committees for years,” a longtime Jewish Democratic donor recently told the Washington Examiner, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about their political contributions. “But this year is the first time I am ending my donations. I’m just so worried with what I’m seeing with these extremist candidates coming out of primaries that are openly antisemitic and anti-Israel.”

Rather, the donor cited Ossoff as someone they view as an ally to Israel and is among the candidates this cycle they intend to support financially.

DEMOCRATS’ FUNDRAISING WOES RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER JEWISH DONORS ARE PULLING BACK

Hank Sheinkopf, a veteran Democratic strategist who advised former President Bill Clinton and is an ordained orthodox rabbi, was optimistic that Jewish voters will ultimately put aside what grievances they may have with Ossoff to side with the incumbent as Democrats try to flip the chamber.

“He’s not Mamdani,” said Sheinkopf, referencing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who initially threatened to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on war crimes if he visited the city. “[Ossoff] is still a Jew. They tend to be loyal. Some of them will not vote for him again because of his vote on Israel. But overall, it helps him nationally, and he should be seen as a potential presidential or vice-presidential candidate.”

Samantha-Jo Roth contributed to this report.