Illinois Gov. Pritzker criticizes AIPAC over spending in primary

Pritzker, a potential 2028 presidential contender, says pro-Israel group has lost its way as a bipartisan organization focused on Middle East peace.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 4:18am

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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday condemned the influx of special interest money, including from the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC, into the state ahead of this week's primary election. Pritzker, a Jewish Democrat who was previously a donor to AIPAC, said the group has shifted to supporting former President Donald Trump and his allies, moving away from its previous bipartisan focus on Middle East peace. Outside groups, including AIPAC, spent roughly $70 million on six open U.S. House and Senate races in Illinois on Tuesday.

Why it matters

Pritzker's criticism of AIPAC's involvement in Illinois primaries comes as the Democratic Party grapples with growing divisions over the U.S. relationship with Israel. As a potential 2028 presidential contender, Pritzker's global policy views are under increased scrutiny, particularly his stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict and the recent Iran war.

The details

Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune, called AIPAC's spending "interference" in Illinois races. The group's preferred candidate won the Democratic nomination in a Chicago-area House district but lost in a heavily Jewish district north of the city. Pritzker himself spent millions to support his lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, in her successful bid for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination.

  • The Illinois primary election was held on Tuesday, March 19, 2026.

The players

JB Pritzker

The Democratic governor of Illinois and a potential 2028 presidential contender. Pritzker is a Jewish Democrat who was previously a donor to AIPAC but has since distanced himself from the group.

AIPAC

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobbying group that spent heavily in Illinois primaries.

Juliana Stratton

Pritzker's lieutenant governor who won the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination with the governor's support.

Raja Krishnamoorthi

A U.S. Representative who lost the Democratic Senate nomination to Stratton.

Darren Bailey

The Republican candidate for Illinois governor who faces Pritzker in the general election. Bailey backs former President Trump's agenda.

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What they’re saying

“It became an organization that was supporting Donald Trump and people who follow Donald Trump. AIPAC really is not an organization that I think today I would want any part of.”

— JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois

“I do not know why the United States has walked away from that, except, of course, that Donald Trump doesn't seem to understand how to create Middle East peace and instead wants to go to war, as he has now done in Iran, simply following Netanyahu into that war.”

— JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois

“Are we going to now take military adventures across the world to take out leaders, who we think are bad for their countries? If so, we're going to be involved in a whole lot of wars going forward.”

— JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois

What’s next

Pritzker faces Republican Darren Bailey, a former state lawmaker who backs Trump's agenda, in the November 2026 general election for Illinois governor. It will be a rematch after Pritzker handily defeated Bailey in 2022.

The takeaway

Pritzker's criticism of AIPAC's involvement in Illinois primaries highlights the growing divisions within the Democratic Party over the U.S. relationship with Israel, an issue that could become a flashpoint in Pritzker's potential 2028 presidential bid.