AIPAC Spent $12 Million Losing Illinois Primary Elections
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) spent $12 million on Democratic primary elections in Illinois that they went on to lose.
In the 9th District, the pro-Israel lobbying group spent $7 million, POLITICO reported, to support state Senator Laura Fine challenge Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss who won his election on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, an AIPAC-affiliated super PAC spent some $5 million in the 7th district to support Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, the publication reported. She lost her election Tuesday to state representative La Shawn Ford.
Newsweek reached out to AIPAC by email to comment on this story outside of normal business hours.
Why It Matters
Since losing the 2024 presidential election, Democrats have been divided on whether to chart a more progressive course in future elections or appeal to moderates.
Israel is one of the issues that falls within this broader debate. Recent national polling has shown that Democrats’ views of Israel have become more negative in recent years, amid Israel's war with Gaza, raising questions on how spending tied to AIPAC could influence the race.
A recent NBC poll found that 13 percent of Democrats view Israel positively, compared to 34 percent in a similar 2023 poll.
What To Know
Axios said AIPAC funded candidates via other PACS including Elect Chicago Women and Chicago Progressive Partnership.
The election results come after, earlier this month, Nida Allam, a progressive candidate backed by AIPAC, conceded a narrow defeat in the Democratic primary in North Carolina's 4th district.
However, despite the losses, two AIPAC-supported candidates, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, and former representative Melissa Bean, won their House primary races in Illinois.
In the 2nd congressional district, Miller beat former representative Jesse Jackson Jr. and state Senator Robert Peters.
Bean won in the 8th congressional district, beating Junaid Ahmed.
What People Are Saying
Biss, on X Tuesday night: "Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this amazing journey. This is a district of fighters, a district of believers, a district of progressive Democrats who know that we can never back down from Donald Trump and his MAGA cronies.
"This was one of the most hard fought, closely watched primaries in the country because this district is a bellwether for the entire Democratic party. Tonight the 9th District made its voice heard loud and clear by rejecting AIPAC’s money and electing a true progressive fighter!"
AIPAC wrote on X: "Life looks pretty good. Voters in North Carolina and Illinois rejected all seven far-left, would-be Squad members who centered their campaigns on attacking Israel and demonizing pro-Israel Americans. Being pro-Israel is good policy and good politics!"
What Happens Next
Biss and Ford will face Republican nominees in the November general election.