AIPAC's Influence in Illinois Democratic Primaries Sparks Controversy Over Israel Policy The American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s super PAC, United Democracy Project, funneled over $14 million through anonymous groups to influence key House Democratic primaries in Illinois, deepening divisions within the party over Israel policy. The spending, revealed through newly filed federal reports, marked a significant escalation in the battle for control of the party’s stance on Israel, with progressives accusing AIPAC of using indirect tactics to shape outcomes. Two anonymous groups, Elect Chicago Women and Affordable Chicago Now!, raised $14.1 million, with UDP contributing $5.3 million. Additional funds came from donors who had previously supported UDP, bringing the total to over $14 million. These groups accounted for 60% of all outside spending in Illinois House primaries this year. While UDP’s direct involvement in the first two groups was not confirmed until Friday, its role in the third group was openly acknowledged. The super PAC also spent $5 million to support Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin’s unsuccessful campaign for the 7th Congressional District. The spending efforts were part of a broader strategy to amplify pro-Israel voices in the Democratic Party. Patrick Dorton, a UDP spokesman, defended the group’s actions, stating that the funds were used to ensure “pro-Israel voices would have their voices heard.” He emphasized AIPAC’s focus on building a “largest, bipartisan pro-Israel majority in Congress,” claiming the Chicago delegation is “more pro-Israel today than it was before the primary election.” The election results reflected mixed outcomes for the pro-Israel effort. Former Rep.#daniel_biss #aipac #la_shawn_ford #united_democracy_project #melissa_conyears_ervin
Super PACs' Influence in Illinois Primary Elections: Mixed Outcomes for Special Interest Groups An unprecedented surge of special interest money into Illinois primary races yielded mixed results for major industries and advocacy groups on election night. Over $50 million was spent by outside entities to influence voters, with some groups seeing significant gains while others faced setbacks. The outcomes highlighted the complex interplay between campaign financing and electoral success in a state where political races often reflect broader ideological divides. Among the most successful was the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which saw its Illinois investments pay off in key congressional races. AIPAC-linked groups backed Donna Miller in the 2nd Congressional District and Melissa Bean in the 8th, both of whom won their nominations. However, the group struggled in the 9th District, where efforts to support State Sen. Laura Fine and oppose Kat Abughazaleh failed, as Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss emerged victorious. AIPAC’s influence extended to other races, including its support for Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin in the 7th District, though the group’s backing of real estate executive Jason Friedman faced an uphill battle. The cryptocurrency industry, represented by the pro-cryptocurrency PAC Fairshake, faced a stark contrast. Despite spending over $10 million to oppose Democratic Senate candidate Juliana Stratton and $2.5 million against state Rep. La Shawn Ford in the 7th District, both candidates won comfortably. Fairshake’s efforts to block state Sen. Robert Peters in the 2nd District also fell short, as Peters finished third behind Miller and Jesse Jackson Jr. Other groups had uneven results.#daniel_biss #donna_miller #melissa_bean #american_israel_public_affairs_committee #juliana_stratton
What One Key Loss in Illinois Signals for Pro-Israel Lobby in Midterms The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a historically bipartisan pro-Israel lobbying group, faces growing challenges as Democratic voters in Illinois grow disillusioned with the current government and the war in Gaza. Daniel Biss, a Democratic congressional candidate in Illinois, encountered significant opposition from AIPAC during his campaign, highlighting the group’s influence and the shifting political landscape. Biss, a grandson of Holocaust survivors who later moved to Israel, positions himself as both a supporter of the Jewish state and a vocal critic of its current leadership. His campaign faced a stark reality: a majority of Democratic voters in the state viewed AIPAC negatively. An internal campaign survey revealed that 51 percent of Democratic voters in Illinois held an unfavorable opinion of the group, compared to just 17 percent who viewed it favorably. This data became a pivotal factor in Biss’s strategy, leading him to portray AIPAC as a central, if not antagonistic, force in the race. AIPAC’s involvement in the Illinois primaries was substantial, with the organization spending over $20 million through affiliated networks in four congressional races. However, the results were mixed. In two races, AIPAC-backed candidates won, while in others, they lost. This outcome underscores the group’s struggle to maintain its traditional influence amid shifting public sentiment toward Israel and a more assertive progressive movement. The organization has worked to preserve its political clout, but recent events suggest its efforts are faltering.#new_jersey #illinois #daniel_biss #aipac #american_israel_public_affairs_committee
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss wins Illinois’ 9th District Democratic House primary Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss secured the Democratic nomination for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District on Tuesday, defeating a crowded field of candidates including progressive insurgent Kat Abughazaleh and state Senator Laura Fine. The race, one of the most competitive in Illinois in recent years, saw 15 Democrats vying for the seat, which has been held by U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky since 1999. Biss’ victory positions him to potentially follow Schakowsky’s path, as the incumbent congresswoman praised his win and expressed confidence in his ability to challenge President Donald Trump. Biss, a former mathematician and state legislator, emphasized the need for a Congress that “asserts itself” against systemic corruption, criticizing the influence of wealthy donors and the role of the pro-Israel American Israel Public Affairs Committee in the campaign. He framed his win as proof that elections “can’t be bought,” a direct reference to the PAC’s involvement in the race. The 9th District, which spans North Side neighborhoods like Uptown and Andersonville, as well as suburbs such as Evanston and Glenview, is considered a reliably Democratic seat. Schakowsky, who previously held the seat for 24 terms before a brief hiatus, called Biss’ victory a “great moment” for Democrats and highlighted the party’s “bright future.” She noted that Biss would have strong support in Congress, setting the stage for his general election bid against Republican pastor John Elleson in November. Biss’ campaign focused on progressive policies, including his tenure as Evanston mayor, where he implemented carbon emission regulations and developed a housing plan for the city.#jan_schakowsky #daniel_biss #evanston_mayor #katherine_abughazaleh #american_israel_public_affairs_committee
Daniel Biss projected to win Democratic primary for Illinois' 9th Congressional District seat Daniel Biss is expected to secure the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House race in Illinois' 9th Congressional District, according to the Associated Press. The race, which covers northern Chicago and parts of the northwest suburbs, has been one of the most competitive in the state in recent years. This congressional seat has been open for the first time in 26 years following the retirement of long-serving Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. Biss, a former Illinois state senator, is also endorsed by Schakowsky, who announced her decision to step down from office. The Democratic primary featured 15 candidates vying for the nomination, including former journalist Kat Abughazaleh, current state Senator Laura Fine, and gun control advocate Phil Andrew. Abughazaleh, in particular, raised significant funds to support her campaign, enabling her to run television advertisements. The Republican nomination for the seat is projected to go to John Elleson, according to the Associated Press. Elleson’s victory in the GOP primary marks a key development in the race, as the 9th District remains a closely contested area with a diverse electorate. The primary election results highlight the intense competition within the Democratic Party for the opportunity to challenge the Republican incumbent in the general election. Schakowsky’s retirement has created a significant opening, drawing attention to the district’s political dynamics and the candidates’ ability to mobilize support in a region with shifting demographics and voter priorities. The outcome of the Democratic primary will shape the trajectory of the congressional race, as the nominee will face Elleson in November.#associated_press #jan_schakowsky #daniel_biss #illinois_9th_congressional_district #john_elleson
Daniel Biss, Donna Miller, Melissa Bean win House primaries as Democrats fight over Israel and four Illinois open seats Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss secured the Democratic nomination in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, marking a pivotal moment in a contentious primary that highlighted deep divisions within the party over Israel policy and other issues. Alongside Biss, state Rep. La Shawn Ford won the 7th District race, while Cook County commissioner Donna Miller and former Rep. Melissa Bean claimed victories in the 2nd and 8th districts, respectively. The four races were shaped by intense competition, with millions of dollars in outside spending and heated debates over U.S. foreign policy toward Israel. The 9th District race saw Biss, a Jewish candidate whose relatives survived the Holocaust, emerge as the frontrunner despite fierce challenges from progressive commentator Kat Abughazaleh and state Sen. Laura Fine. Fine, a moderate backed by Rep. Brad Schneider and the Chicago Tribune editorial board, initially received significant support from anonymous groups before shifting focus to attack Biss. Abughazaleh, who criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, drew criticism for her stance, while Biss emphasized his support for a Palestinian state alongside the U.S.-Israel relationship. The race also saw a last-minute disclosure from Biss about a brief past relationship with a student, which his campaign described as “ill-advised.” In the 2nd District, Miller’s victory over former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and progressive state Sen. Robert Peters underscored her appeal to both moderate and pro-Israel Democrats.#daniel_biss #donna_miller #melissa_bean #la_shawn_ford #democratic_majority_for_israel
RoundTable/PPP poll: Abughazaleh narrows gap behind Biss, while Fine falls back in congressional race One week before the 9th Congressional District primary, a new poll commissioned by the Evanston RoundTable reveals shifting dynamics in the race. Content creator Kat Abughazaleh has closed the gap with front-runner Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, while state Sen. Laura Fine has slipped further behind, with nearly one in six voters still undecided as Election Day approaches on March 17. The poll, conducted by Public Policy Polling—a Democratic Party-affiliated firm—surveyed 741 likely Democratic primary voters via text-to-web messages and automated landline calls between March 9 and 10. Responses were weighted to reflect the district’s demographics. Biss maintained his lead with 24% of respondents, the same as the previous poll, while Abughazaleh rose three points to 20%. Fine’s support dropped two points to 14%, moving her out of the top two. State Sen. Mike Simmons (7th District) gained four points to 10%, becoming the first candidate outside the top three to reach double digits in any poll released during the campaign. Former FBI agent Phil Andrew and Skokie school board member Bushra Amiwala each gained two points, reaching 7% and 6% respectively. State Rep. Hoan Huynh (13th District), economist Jeff Cohen, and environmental engineer Justin Ford each secured 1% of support. About 17% of voters—down five points from the last poll—remain undecided, though this still represents a significant portion of the electorate. Demographic data highlights persistent divides. Biss performed best with voters aged 45-65 (23%) and those 65 and older (31%), while Abughazaleh led among voters aged 18-45 (34%).#kat_abughazaleh #daniel_biss #evanston_roundtable #public_policy_polling #laura_fine
A race for a safe blue seat tests how far left Democrats want new leaders to go A race for a safe blue seat tests how far left Democrats want new leaders to go The push for generational change in the Democratic Party faces a test in a Chicago-area congressional district, where the top candidates span three generations: from Gen X and millennials to Gen Z. On an overcast Saturday in Evanston, Ill., as local union members file into a small campaign office, sip coffee and get ready to go canvass, a classic campaign scene begins to take shape. "This group of people here this morning is the best reminder of what's at stake," said Daniel Biss, the mayor of Evanston. "We are in a crisis for working people in this country." He's running to represent the state's 9th congressional district, an area that includes Evanston and a stretch of the north side of Chicago. It's been held by Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky, 81, for the last 27 years. But her impending retirement opens up a rare vacancy, and Biss is one of 15 Democrats vying to succeed her, with top candidates spanning three generations, from Gen X and millennials to Gen Z. The race for this safe blue seat comes as many within the Democratic base are calling for change within their party, with some demanding a new generation of leaders. In Illinois' primary on Tuesday, residents in this district will help decide what the next chapter of Democratic leadership might look like. "I would say that the transition from Jan Schakowsky to me is one of generational change, for sure," Biss said in an interview. Biss, who is 48 and Gen X, leads in local polls and has the backing of Schakowsky, as well as other party leaders like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. As supporters head out to knock on doors, he argues he's most equipped to meet this moment.#daniel_biss #jan_schakowsky #elizabeth_warren #kat_abughazaleh #evanston_illinois
