All articles tagged with #aipac
Rep. Jan Schakowsky withdraws her endorsement of Donna Miller in Illinois’ 2nd District due to AIPAC-linked contributions, says she will back Daniel Biss in IL-9, and the piece notes broad scrutiny of pro-Israel groups’ involvement in Democratic primaries including DMFI’s endorsements.
AIPAC spent heavily against moderate Rep. Tom Malinowski in a New Jersey Democratic primary—despite his support for Israel with conditional aid—but the strategy appeared to backfire and may have helped pro‑Palestinian progressive Analilia Mejia win momentum, underscoring how Israel policy remains a divisive issue in U.S. politics during the midterms.
In New Jersey’s 11th District, progressive Analilia Mejia led former Rep. Tom Malinowski by about 500 votes as thousands of provisional and late mail ballots remained to be counted, signaling nascent progressive energy while highlighting the impact of AIPAC-backed spending and establishment-vs.-insurgent dynamics in the race.
AIPAC spent about $2 million through its Unite Democracy Project to attack moderate Rep. Tom Malinowski in New Jersey's 11th District, helping progressive Analilia Mejia and triggering backlash from centrists and some allies. The outcome underscores rifts over Israel policy within the Democratic Party and signals heavy spending to come in 2026 primaries as AIPAC expands into other races.
Analilia Mejia holds a razor-thin lead in New Jersey’s 11th District special Democratic primary over Tom Malinowski, with 488 votes separating them as thousands of mail‑in and provisional ballots remain to be counted. Ballots across Essex, Morris and Passaic counties could still shift the result, likely keeping the race unresolved through the weekend. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee signaled it may engage again in June, a development Mejia criticized, while both candidates have said they wouldn’t continue campaigning if defeated. The winner will face GOP Joe Hathaway in the April 16 general election, with a potential June Democratic primary to follow.
POLITICO Playbook surveys a weekend where a tight New Jersey Democratic primary (Analilia Mejia leading Tom Malinowski) could be reshaped by late AIPAC spending, while Trump’s resonance colors both the Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl coverage; the issue set also covers high-stakes diplomacy—Witkoff and Kushner in Oman pursuing Iran talks, Cuba negotiations, and Russia-Ukraine prisoner swaps—illustrating how culture, elections, and foreign policy collide in 2026.
Analilia Mejia and Tom Malinowski are in a razor-thin Democratic primary race in New Jersey’s 11th District, with Mejia leading by about 486 votes (28.8% to 28.0%) as roughly 91% of ballots are tallied; a prior call that Malinowski would win was retracted, and late-counted ballots could still tilt the outcome. Tahesha Way and Brendan Gill trail, while outside spending—most notably $2.3 million from AIPAC against Malinowski—helped shape the closings, though Mejia’s progressive surge complicates the race.
The article discusses a growing revulsion among Evangelical Christians and their families in the US towards Israel's actions in Gaza, highlighting a shift in public opinion influenced by social media and media coverage. It also critiques the influence of pro-Israel lobbying groups like AIPAC and Gulf states on US politics, and notes a broader awareness and criticism of foreign influence and support for Israel among American conservatives and the general public.
Pro-Israel lobbying groups, particularly Aipac, are expected to spend heavily to unseat progressive Democratic representatives in the 2024 congressional primaries, with candidates like Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush facing formidable challenges from well-funded opponents. The influence of pro-Israel money is evident in campaign finance reports, with Aipac earmarking significant contributions to certain challengers. Meanwhile, progressive incumbents Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib have raised substantial funds, indicating strong support for their criticism of the Israeli government's policies.
Progressive organizations in the US have formed a coalition called "Reject AIPAC" to counter the influence of the pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC, which is reportedly preparing a $100m offensive to target progressives in Congress. The coalition aims to support targeted candidates, lobby against AIPAC's agenda, and urge Democrats to renounce its support. AIPAC's involvement in US election campaigns has sparked criticism, with progressives denouncing its right-wing influence and advocating for a shift in US policy towards Palestine and Israel.
More than 20 progressive groups have formed a coalition called Reject AIPAC to counter pro-Israel groups' efforts to challenge liberal members critical of Israel's military offensive in Gaza. The coalition aims to protect and promote pro-Palestinian members and candidates, highlighting national polling showing Democratic voter alignment with their stances. AIPAC, which has historically wielded immense clout in Washington, has shifted its strategy to challenge Democratic incumbents in primaries and is expected to spend over $50 million this cycle targeting progressive candidates.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has been heavily involved in Democratic primaries and plans to spend at least $100 million on 2024 races, prompting progressives to form the Reject AIPAC coalition to counter its influence. AIPAC's new super PAC, funded by Republican billionaires, has reshaped key primaries and shifted the balance of power in Congress. The coalition aims to organize against AIPAC across electoral, political, and digital arenas, and plans to defend members of Congress being targeted by AIPAC through a seven-figure electoral spending campaign. AIPAC's growing influence on Democratic Party politics has presented a major problem for progressives, who rely mostly on small-dollar donors and can't compete with AIPAC's war chest.
A centrist Democratic pro-Israel group is running an ad campaign in Michigan to persuade voters to support Biden and not choose the "uncommitted" slot on their Democratic Party primary ballots, warning that doing so would help Donald Trump. The group's efforts are part of a wider pro-Israel push to unseat members of Congress who criticize Israel's actions in Gaza. Organizers of the "uncommitted" campaign aim to send a warning to Biden and the Democratic Party about dissatisfaction with his stance on Israel's war on Gaza, particularly among Michigan's Middle Eastern and North African residents. The state's 15 electoral votes are crucial for Biden's reelection, and polls indicate a tight race, with Trump winning in several tests. The "vote uncommitted" push has the backing of various state officials, including Mayor Abdullah Hammoud of Dearborn and state House Majority Leader Rep. Abraham Aiyash.
Progressive members of Congress, including the "squad," are facing record fundraising as they are targeted by pro-Israel PACs like AIPAC for their criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza. Arab American and Muslim groups are rallying behind these lawmakers, contributing to their fundraising efforts. AIPAC's significant financial backing of Democratic challengers has raised concerns about its influence on the party and the fairness of elections. The struggle raises questions about the Democratic Party's stance on Israel and the role of outside groups in determining party positions.
The House Democratic "Squad" is facing a tough crossroads as its members, including Reps. Ilhan Omar, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, and Summer Lee, grapple with personal controversies, criminal investigations, and serious primary challenges. The group's aggressive fundraising reflects their awareness of the political peril they face, with concerns about outside money from groups like AIPAC. Despite the challenges, the Squad remains committed to their nonconformist, activist-inspired approach to legislating and vows to continue fighting for their constituents.