AIPAC’s Spending Sparks Pushback in Democratic Primaries and Aid Vote

In 2024 a super-PAC aligned with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) poured $4 million into the Democratic primary of then-state Sen. Sarah Elfreth in Maryland—more than twice the amount her campaign raised. The money helped secure her win, but Elfreth later voted “present” on Rep. Thomas Massie’s (R-Ky.) amendment to halt the $3.3 billion annual U.S. aid package to Israel. The amendment failed after every Republican except Massie and 98 Democrats opposed it, yet 103 Democrats voted for the measure, signaling a notable break from AIPAC-favored candidates.

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AIPAC has long conditioned its support on an unconditional stance toward Israeli aid, backing candidates since at least 2022 who pledged to keep military assistance flowing. The organization’s spending has expanded to dozens of contested primaries, including $1.4 million for Rep. Wesley Bell (MO) and support for Michigan Senate hopeful Haley Stevens. Recent primary defeats—such as former Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.), who lost after an AIPAC-affiliated group spent over $2 million against him—illustrate growing friction between the group and progressive Democrats who favor conditional aid.

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Massie hailed the 100-plus Democratic votes for the amendment as proof that public opinion is shifting and that AIPAC’s grip on at least one party is waning. Former Chicago mayor and Democratic figure Rahm Emanuel warned that the war in Gaza is turning Israel into a “pariah nation,” condemning U.S. complicity in civilian suffering.

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Malinowski, a two-term former House member, called AIPAC’s influence “toxic,” saying the group warned he would be “destroyed” if he did not support its positions unconditionally. A Democratic pollster, speaking anonymously, argued that each dollar AIPAC spends deepens voters’ skepticism that pro-Israel Democrats act on principle rather than money. Party operatives note that internal surveys show the organization’s reputation among rank-and-file Democrats is “poisonous.”

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• “I expect groups like AIPAC will not support me in my future elections and frankly, I don’t want their support,” — Rep. Pat Ryan

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• “AIPAC explicitly told me and others that they preferred a ‘squad’ Democrat to win in my race than to have somebody like me who would be making these arguments from a credible, pro-Israel point of view,” — Rep. Tom Malinowski

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• “To get over 100, to get a majority in the Democratic caucus, demonstrates a couple things,” — Rep. Thomas Massie

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