AIPAC Super PAC Funded Illinois Groups in Democratic Primaries

Spending by AIPAC-aligned groups marked a new battle over Israel policy within the Democratic Party.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 2:36am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee's super PAC, United Democracy Project, seeded two anonymous groups that spent over $14 million to influence key House Democratic primaries in Illinois. The involvement of UDP in these groups was not confirmed until after the elections. While the pro-Israel effort was successful in two races, it failed in two others, including a high-profile contest that exposed deep Democratic divisions on Israel policy.

Why it matters

The shielded spending and election results come amid a shift in how Democratic voters view Israel, with two-thirds of Democrats saying their sympathies lie more with Palestinians than Israelis. The battle over Israel policy within the Democratic Party is intensifying, with some prominent Democrats distancing themselves from AIPAC or questioning U.S. aid to Israel.

The details

United Democracy Project, an AIPAC-aligned super PAC, contributed $5.3 million of the $14.1 million raised by two anonymous groups, Elect Chicago Women and Affordable Chicago Now!, that spent heavily in the Illinois primaries. The pro-Israel effort was successful in two races but failed in two others, including a high-profile contest won by Daniel Biss, who has criticized the Israeli government and calls himself a 'progressive Zionist'.

  • The Illinois primaries took place on Tuesday, March 21, 2026.

The players

United Democracy Project

A super PAC aligned with AIPAC that receives tens of millions of dollars from the group and spent over $5 million to boost Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin in her unsuccessful campaign for the state's 7th Congressional District.

Elect Chicago Women

An anonymous group that spent more than $5 million in the high-profile race won by Daniel Biss, first to support state Sen. Laura Fine and then to attack Biss, who has criticized the Israeli government and calls himself a 'progressive Zionist'.

Chicago Progressive Partnership

A group that began trying to cut down a surging progressive candidate, Kat Abughazaleh, and then boosting another low-polling progressive, Bushra Amiwala, in an apparent attempt to split the progressive vote.

Daniel Biss

The winner of the high-profile race, who has criticized the Israeli government and calls himself a 'progressive Zionist'.

Kat Abughazaleh

A progressive candidate who has been deeply critical of Israel and has referred to Israel's conduct in Gaza as 'genocide'.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“AIPAC found out the hard way: The 9th District is not for sale.”

— Daniel Biss

“If 'being pro-Israel was good politics or policy', like AIPAC says, they wouldn't have to completely avoid mentioning Israel in $21 million of ads and using shell PACs to hide their spending.”

— Usamah Andrabi, Communications Director, Justice Democrats

“Obviously we have our differences with Daniel Biss but at least he's a Zionist — and he's far better than Kat Abughazaleh.”

— Patrick Dorton, Spokesman, United Democracy Project

What’s next

The battle over Israel policy within the Democratic Party is expected to continue as primary season develops, with new polling showing Israel's standing among Democrats has slipped dramatically in recent years.

The takeaway

The AIPAC-aligned super PAC's involvement in the Illinois primaries highlights the growing rift within the Democratic Party over Israel policy, with some prominent Democrats distancing themselves from AIPAC and questioning U.S. aid to Israel. The results suggest the party's base is shifting on this issue, posing a challenge for the pro-Israel lobby.