AIPAC accused of covert campaigning as Democratic support falters

Pro-Israel group reportedly using shadowy groups to influence Illinois Democratic primaries

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a powerful pro-Israel organization, is being accused of masking its involvement in competitive Illinois Democratic primaries through the use of opaque groups like Elect Chicago Women and Affordable Chicago Now. Candidates in these races say AIPAC is trying to maintain its influence as more Democrats, including Jewish voters, reexamine their stance on Israel.

Why it matters

AIPAC has traditionally enjoyed bipartisan support, but an increasing number of Democratic voters have started to question their party's traditional support of Israel. This shift has made AIPAC a prominent antagonist for many Democrats, particularly progressives. By allegedly using shadowy groups to influence primary races, AIPAC is being accused of trying to undermine this changing sentiment within the Democratic party.

The details

Candidates like Daniel Biss and Robert Peters claim that Elect Chicago Women and Affordable Chicago Now, which have no public ties to AIPAC, are actually working on the group's behalf to support moderate candidates like Laura Fine and Donna Miller who are favored by AIPAC donors. The groups appear to use operatives and vendors who have worked with AIPAC-affiliated efforts in the past. AIPAC has been more explicit in its political activities in some cases, such as an email calling Biss and Kat Abughazaleh "dangerous detractors" working with "the far-left flank to undermine Israel."

  • In September, AIPAC sent an email to donors calling Daniel Biss and Kat Abughazaleh "dangerous detractors" working with "the far-left flank to undermine Israel."
  • In December, AIPAC's deputy political director gave a presentation at Agudath Israel of Illinois highlighting how early Illinois' primaries are and warning that losing to progressive candidates more critical of Israel could embolden other progressives around the country.

The players

AIPAC

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a powerful pro-Israel organization that has traditionally enjoyed bipartisan support but is now facing growing criticism from progressive Democrats.

Daniel Biss

The mayor of Evanston who is running for Illinois' 9th Congressional District. Biss is a supporter of Israel whose mother is Israeli, but he accuses AIPAC of trying to interfere in the Democratic primary through shadowy groups.

Laura Fine

A moderate state senator running in the 9th Congressional District primary. Fine denies knowing who is behind Elect Chicago Women, a group that is spending heavily to support her campaign, but she has received over $1 million in donations from AIPAC-affiliated donors.

Robert Peters

A candidate in the 2nd Congressional District who has accused AIPAC of using "shell organizations" to support candidates willing to back the "right-wing agenda."

Melissa Bean

A former U.S. representative who is running in the 8th Congressional District primary. Elect Chicago Women has spent over $1.2 million to support her campaign, and she has reported over $400,000 in donations from AIPAC donors.

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What they’re saying

“AIPAC has chosen to get intensely involved in this race knowing that they're toxically unpopular. AIPAC has become a Republican-aligned organization, and Democratic primary voters know that, and so if they want to interfere as Republicans in Democratic primaries, the only way to get away with it is by hiding it.”

— Daniel Biss, Mayor of Evanston (N/A)

“Anything that happens outside of our campaign is just as much a surprise to me. Do I have a lot of Jewish donors who have donated to my campaign? Absolutely. Have some of these donors also donated to AIPAC? Most likely. But they're supporting a Jewish woman who has stood up for what I believe is 'tikkun olam,' which is repairing the world, and for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.”

— Laura Fine, State Senator (Evanston Now)

“They know that AIPAC is unpopular, it's associated with [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's] war machine. So they're trying to be slick and to use these shell organizations to be able to move money to support candidates who are willing to support the right-wing agenda.”

— Robert Peters, State Senator (N/A)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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