California
Latest Coverage
See all articles
Rep. Juan Vargas denies receiving AIPAC money, contradicting the public record
At a rally in February, standing atop a stage decorated with a banner that read “ICE OUT OF SD,” Democratic Rep. Juan Vargas thought he was among friends.
Vargas, who represents the 52nd District in San Diego’s South Bay, joined the crowd in chants of, “ICE Out! ICE Out!” But then he grew noticeably silent when the chants shifted to, “Stop Funding Israel! Stop Funding Israel!”
That’s when the crowd turned on Vargas. Booing the seven-term congressman and shouting, “Get off the stage!”
As Vargas was leaving, a small group of activists and organizers asked him about his relationship with the pro-Israel lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). He gave them a clear and definitive answer.
“AIPAC has never given me a penny,” Vargas said.
However, campaign finance records from the Federal Elections Commission show AIPAC has been Vargas’ biggest donor in the last two election cycles.
During the 2024 cycle, AIPAC contributed $162,052 to Vargas’ campaign, the records show.