Pro-Israel groups, including those linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), spent millions of dollars in Illinois' Democratic primaries on Tuesday. These elections served as an early test for the influence of pro-Israel politics in the U.S., particularly amid declining support for Israel among Democrats and rising anger over Israeli policies.
Key Takeaways
Pro-Israel groups spent millions in Illinois' Democratic primaries, testing their influence amid declining support for Israel among Democrats. The results showed mixed success for AIPAC-backed candidates.
- AIPAC-affiliated groups spent $13.7 million in Illinois Democratic primaries
- Daniel Biss won the 9th District primary despite significant spending against him by AIPAC-linked groups
- Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the Senate primary with support from Gov. JB Pritzker's super PACs
- Progressive candidates criticized AIPAC for using covert tactics and unpopular stances on Israel
The Chicago area Democratic primaries saw significant financial contributions from AIPAC-affiliated groups, with a total expenditure of $13.7 million reported by WBEZ. This spending came as AIPAC's popularity within the Democratic Party has waned, leading to the formation of new political action committees (PACs) that share vendors and strategies with AIPAC but operate under generic names.
The most closely watched race was for the open seat vacated by retiring Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. Progressive activist Kat Abughazaleh, who has openly criticized Israel's war on Gaza, faced several opponents, including Daniel Biss and State Senator Laura Fine. AIPAC-linked groups initially targeted Biss but later shifted their focus to Abughazaleh due to fears of miscalculation.
Abughazaleh is known for her viral moments online and has rejected the influencer label, emphasizing her background in fighting the far right. Her campaign strategy highlights a larger challenge facing Democrats as they look for new ways to reach voters beyond traditional news, TV ads, and mailers. Abughazaleh's digital-first approach tests whether rallying support online can help make up for potential weak points campaigns may have.
The primaries also included competitive races in neighboring districts, such as the contest between progressive candidate Junaid Ahmed and former Congresswoman Melissa Bean. Additionally, a primary election determined the Democratic nominee for the Senate seat being vacated by Dick Durbin, with candidates including Representative Robin Kelly, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi.
The influence of AIPAC faced challenges as polls indicated that only 17 percent of Democratic voters sympathize more with Israelis than Palestinians. Progressive groups like Justice Democrats accused AIPAC of using covert tactics to sway elections, highlighting the group's unpopularity among Democratic voters. The outcomes of these primaries provided insights into the shifting political landscape and the future influence of pro-Israel lobbying in U.S. politics.
The results showed mixed success for AIPAC-backed candidates. In the 9th District, Daniel Biss won despite significant spending against him by AIPAC-linked groups. Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the Senate primary with support from Gov. JB Pritzker's super PACs. Progressive candidates criticized AIPAC for using covert tactics and unpopular stances on Israel.
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