Illinois Gov. Pritzker Criticizes AIPAC's Influence in Primary

Pritzker condemns special interest money, including from pro-Israel group, in Illinois races

Mar. 19, 2026 at 2:19am

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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker condemned the influx of special interest money, including from the pro-Israel group AIPAC, that poured into the state ahead of this week's primary elections. Pritzker, a Jewish Democrat who was previously a donor to AIPAC, said the group has lost its way and now supports Donald Trump and his allies. Outside groups, including AIPAC, funneled roughly $70 million into six open U.S. House and Senate races in Illinois on Tuesday, which Pritzker called "interference."

Why it matters

Pritzker's criticism of AIPAC's involvement in Illinois primaries highlights the growing divide within the Democratic Party over the party's relationship with Israel. As a potential 2028 presidential contender, Pritzker's views on global policy issues like the Israel-Palestinian conflict will come under increased scrutiny.

The details

Pritzker, who is Jewish, was previously a donor to AIPAC but says the group has lost its way as a bipartisan organization focused on Middle East peace. He says AIPAC now supports Donald Trump and his allies. Outside groups, including AIPAC, spent roughly $70 million on six open U.S. House and Senate races in Illinois, which Pritzker condemned as "interference." AIPAC's involvement sparked some of the primary's harshest attacks, with mixed results - the group's preferred candidate won in one district but lost in another.

  • The Illinois primary elections were 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 criticized the group for supporting Donald Trump and his allies.

AIPAC

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel political group that lobbies for U.S. support of Israel and is a top donor to political campaigns.

Donna Miller

A Cook County Commissioner who won the Democratic nomination for a U.S. House district that includes parts of Chicago's South Side, with the backing of AIPAC.

Daniel Biss

The mayor of Evanston, Illinois, who won the Democratic nomination for a heavily Jewish district north of Chicago, defeating AIPAC's preferred candidate.

Juliana Stratton

Pritzker's lieutenant governor, who won the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination with Pritzker's support and millions in outside spending.

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What they’re saying

“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

What’s next

Pritzker faces Republican Darren Bailey, a former state lawmaker who backs Trump's agenda, in the November general election for Illinois governor. The race 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 divide within the Democratic Party over the party's relationship with Israel. As a potential 2028 presidential contender, Pritzker's views on global policy issues like the Israel-Palestinian conflict will come under increased scrutiny.