History
In 1978, after changes in campaign finance laws restricted contributions from individuals, Tucson businessman Jack Sarver recognized the need to have an influential Jewish voice in the United States Senate to serve as an insurance policy for bipartisan support of a strong US–Israel relationship. With the advice of his friend, Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson, he created a Political Action Committee exclusively for that purpose.
As its founding chairman, Mr. Sarver, along with fourteen other prominent Jewish Tucsonans, started the Desert Caucus, which has become
the largest regional PAC of its kind
in the country.
After more than forty years and over a million and a half dollars of Congressional campaign contributions, the Desert Caucus is a well-respected advocate in the US Congress, supporting members of both parties in the US Senate and House of Representatives who take a leading
role in advocating for our
strong ties to Israel.
Over the years, hundreds of US
Senators and Representatives
have visited the Desert Caucus
to present off-the-record
discussions and give insights
on Middle East affairs.
