California Jewish Groups Condemn Government-Mailed Voter Guide for Printing Far-Right Antisemitic Conspiracy Theories

California Jewish organizations demand answers after Secretary of State Weber mails millions of voters a candidate's antisemitic conspiracy theories.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 11:11 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from J. The Jewish News of Northern California and JTA

Official State Publication Under Fire for Extremist Content

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber is facing intense criticism from a coalition of Jewish advocacy groups following the distribution of the official state voter guide for the June 2, 2026, primary. The guide, mailed to millions of households, contains a statement from Don J. Grundmann, a far-right activist running for governor. Grundmann’s entry alleges that Israel was responsible for the September 11 terrorist attacks and the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. According to groups including the Anti-Defamation League and the Jewish Federation of Orange County, the inclusion of such "virulent" rhetoric in a government-issued document provides a veneer of legitimacy to dangerous conspiracy theories that undermine the safety of the Jewish community.

Detailed Allegations of Global Conspiracies

The candidate statement in question presents a litany of unfounded claims targeting the Jewish state and the Jewish people. Grundmann asserted that Israel purposefully attacked U.S. sailors on the USS Liberty in 1967 and currently plans to "suitcase nuke" the United States. He further claimed that Hamas was created and funded by Israel to justify "genocide" and facilitate the theft of offshore gas rights. The statement also utilized the Hebrew term "goyim" in a derogatory manner, suggesting a plan to enslave non-Jews. These claims were accompanied by links to external websites, including one associated with the Goyim Defense League, which has been designated as a white supremacist hate group by civil rights monitors.

Violations of State Candidate Guidelines

In a formal letter sent to Secretary Weber, the Jewish Community Action Network (JCAN) and several partner organizations contended that Grundmann’s statement violated the state’s own election provisions. California’s candidate guidelines explicitly state that submissions "shall be limited to a recitation of the candidate’s own personal background and qualifications." The advocacy groups argue that Grundmann’s entry, which consists almost entirely of inflammatory claims about third parties and international geopolitics, fails to meet this legal standard. They are now demanding an official explanation of the review process that allowed the statement to be certified and printed in the final pamphlet.