Elizabeth Pipko: We’re going to be the Super PAC for Jewish-Americans

Pipko wants her PAC to work for the interests of Jewish-Americans.

By Joseph Wolkin, World Israel News

The Exodus Movement is now officially considered a political action committee (PAC). The group, which launched in March of this year, is determined to make an impact on Jewish-Americans not only for the Nov. 5 elections (mostly for local candidates), but also for the 2020 presidential election.

Elizabeth Pipko, who started the movement, had a vision for young Jewish voters given the rise in anti-Semitism within left-wing politics. Although polls show U.S. Jews are more worried about anti-Semitism on the far right, she is determined to make them understand the dangers from the Left.

In September, the Exodus Movement held a major event in New York City with Lara Trump and other Republican leaders. Pipko recently sat down to speak with World Israel News about what the future holds for her group as a PAC.

Q: What has grown within the organization thus far?

Pipko: “The most important thing is we’re now a PAC. A lot of things start as a movement, but I wanted something that can make a tangible difference in 2020. It’s going to outlast 2020. It’s not just about Donald Trump, but it’s about 2024 and beyond. It’s going to stay on for a long time.”

Q: What can you do to sustain the Exodus Movement for years to come?

Pipko: “The whole point is to get the message across. We have the support of many people and they know they can turn to us. We’re going to be the Super PAC for Jewish-Americans.

“It takes a lot of fundraising efforts. It’s about showing people we know what to do and that we’re putting money in the right places. We’re investing in the races we know we can affect and change. We’re making sure Jewish-Americans get the support that they need, and not just emotionally but politically.”

Q: For those who are confused about what a PAC is, what does the money you spend go to?

Pipko: “A lot of people don’t know what goes on politically behind the scenes. I was on the data team with the Trump campaign in 2016, so that opened my eyes. There’s a lot of data that the parties have with all of these people and the races going on.”

“We look at the data, and we determine where to put our money and what our political team needs to do. We put the money into people we want to win, events or ads. It’s about putting money into digital ads, where we need to make sure they target people who we know can affect an election. It’s not about being the group that puts out the most TV ads. It’s about the ads that target the right races that are winnable.”

Q: How do you determine which politicians to support?

Pipko: “A lot of it is based on the candidates running. We know some candidates who we’d endorse over the other. If we think the person on the left is more of a danger. But there’s a lot of people on the left who align with our values and are pro-Israel.”

“There are some fights we know we need to fight and others we don’t. There’s where the data comes in. It can change someone’s mind. It’s about our donors and supporters knowing we’re only going to put money where we can make a difference.”

Q: What are some stigmas about PACs that you realize now aren’t true?

Pipko: “When you look at numbers, people will tell you, when there’s a will, there’s a way. As a person, I believe that in my life. In politics, it’s hard to swallow until you see the numbers in front of you. The average American might not know what’s winnable and what’s not, which is why I think PACs need to exist. You can put the numbers and truth out there for people.”

Q: What’s your message to people who are against PACs?

Pipko: “I think if people don’t like them, it’s probably because of a personal reason. I don’t know anyone politically who doesn’t like it. Everyone needs someone defending them, and I don’t think Jewish-Americans have that group. As important as this is for me politically, it’s important for me emotionally. I want it to be the group for Jewish-Americans that lives on and on. They know there’s a group looking out for their best interests.”

Elizabeth PipkoJexodusTrump administration