All articles tagged with #aipac
The DNC resolutions committee rejected a symbolic resolution targeting the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC and deferred two Middle East policy resolutions to a working group, citing a broader push against dark money; critics argue the move avoids addressing the lobby's influence amid strong progressive backlash and large AIPAC spending in primaries.
Democratic National Committee members rejected a symbolic resolution to curb AIPAC and dark-money groups in primaries and deferred broader Middle East policy measures, sending them to a nascent working group—highlighting a broader struggle within the party between pro-Israel influence and a base pushing for a tougher, more independent stance.
At the DNC's spring meeting in New Orleans, members will debate nonbinding resolutions on recognizing a Palestinian state, conditioning U.S. military aid to Israel, and condemning AIPAC and other dark-money groups — tests that reveal a growing rift between party leadership and its progressive base on Israel, amid polling showing rising unfavorable views of Israel among Democrats.
Democratic lawmakers condemned violent West Bank settler attacks as Palestinian casualties rose, urging accountability and sanctions, amid growing scrutiny of pro-Israel donors like AIPAC and a shift in U.S. public opinion highlighted by UN findings of settlement expansion and displacement.
Democrats eyeing the 2028 White House bid are distancing themselves from AIPAC as liberal voters grow wary of Israel policy; Cory Booker has sworn off AIPAC money, Gavin Newsom says he never took it, and Ruben Gallego vows not to accept it, among others who have dodged the group or criticized its influence. AIPAC and its allies push back, arguing it will still back pro-Israel voices, but the retreat signals a potential primary flashpoint as Israel and Gaza policy reshapes the Democratic field.
Illinois’ Democratic primaries underscored Gov. JB Pritzker’s clout as Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton moved toward a Senate bid; outside groups spent over $52 million—led by AIPAC—with mixed results, while progressives fell short and turnout hit record levels, signaling money’s growing influence in shaping Illinois’ political landscape ahead of 2028 considerations.
Democrats in Illinois nominated five candidates for open U.S. House seats after heated campaigns that featured substantial outside spending and debate over Israel policy, with Daniel Biss (9th District), Donna Miller (2nd District), La Shawn Ford (7th District), Melissa Bean (8th District), and Patty García (4th District) advancing. The races underscored intra-party tensions and the influence of groups like AIPAC, though all five districts are heavily Democratic and the nominees are favored for November.
Pro-Israel donor networks aligned with AIPAC funded Illinois Democratic primary campaigns, helping Juliana Stratton win the Senate nomination while producing mixed results for AIPAC-backed House candidates, illustrating how outside money influences elections ahead of November.
Illinois Democratic primaries delivered a major setback for Squad-backed progressives, with AIPAC-backed and allied PACs backing moderates who won key races (e.g., Daniel Biss in the 9th, Melissa Bean in the 8th, La Shawn Ford in the 7th) and Robert Peters finishing far behind in the 2nd, signaling a boost for party leadership and a cautionary tale for insurgent Democrats nationwide.
In Illinois’ first major midterm test, AIPAC-backed candidates won two races but fell short in two marquee districts where the group spent heavily, prompting criticism from rivals and allies alike and fueling calls to reassess its strategy as U.S. attitudes toward Israel continue to shift ahead of the 2026 midterms.
The pro-Israel group AIPAC backed two Illinois Democratic House candidates in the 2026 primaries—Donna Miller in the 2nd and Melissa Bean in the 8th—using affiliated PACs to funnel millions and disguise the spend. The wins mark a comeback after prior losses and show AIPAC’s continued ability to influence primaries, though other races (like Laura Fine in the 9th) went against them and several progressives criticized the tactic as overly centrist branding.
Former Rep. Melissa Bean wins the Democratic primary in Illinois’ 8th District, boosted by nearly $4 million in outside spending from an AIPAC-aligned group and an AI-focused committee, positioning her for a return to Congress to succeed Raja Krishnamoorthi, who is running for the Senate, with a message of pragmatism in a solid blue district.
Daniel Biss, Evanston’s mayor and former Illinois lawmaker, won the Illinois 9th Congressional District Democratic primary to succeed retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky in a race dominated by AIPAC’s involvement. AIPAC-aligned groups spent over $5 million boosting candidate Laura Fine and attacking Biss, while Biss was endorsed by J Street and ran on issues like affordable housing, expanded Social Security, and banning stock trading by members of Congress. With the district heavily Democratic and Schakowsky’s backing, Biss is favored in the general election.
Illinois' Tuesday primaries spotlight AIPAC's heavy spending in key House races and Gov. JB Pritzker's backing of Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in the Senate contest, raising concerns about Black leadership and potential vote-splitting, while also underscoring ongoing generational rifts within the Democratic Party as outside money and Israel policy debates influence turnout in pivotal districts.
AIPAC is pouring about $22 million into Illinois House races, largely through shell PACs to mask donors, and shifting tactics from attacking a Jewish moderate to backing a Palestinian-American progressive, prompting concerns about outside influence and unpredictable effects in a crowded Democratic primary landscape.