Kalisch-Rotem's candidacy was endorsed by the Meretz party.[1] While Kalisch-Rotem's candidacy was endorsed by the national Israeli Labor Party leader Avi Gabbay, she did not receive the backing of the local Labor Party.[1] The local Labor Party was headed by mayoral opponent Israel Savyon.[5] Nevertheless, her ultimate victory was seen as a boon for the troubled Labor Party, with a Gabbay-backed candidate defeating Yahav, who was seen as close to Moshe Kahlon, a political enemy of Gabbay.[4]
Despite her being nonreligious, Kalisch-Rotem's candidacy also received support from the city's Haredi community, including from the Degel HaTorah party.[1][6] Haredi support for a female mayoral candidate was considered notable, as Haredi are seen as tending to believe that leadership should be exclusive to men, as well as tending to believe that women should avoid bringing attention to themselves in the manner required of politicians.[6] Haredi residents of the city backed Kalisch-Rotem with the intent of ousting Yahav.[4]
Kalisch-Rotem's candidacy had originally been disqualified by a district court due to the fact that her lawyer and the Labor Party had submitted both her candidacy and the candidacy of Israel Savyon. However, on 22 October, 2018, the Supreme Court of Israel, decided that she would be allowed to run.[4]
Of the hundreds of Israeli communities that held mayoral races held during the 2018 municipal elections, Haifa was one of roughly ten cities to elect a woman as its mayor.[1][4] This was an increase from the seven communities that had elected female mayors during the 2013 municipal elections.[1]
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