Pro-Israel Spending Faces Test in Illinois Primaries

Pro-Israel political groups in the United States are pouring millions into local elections as they try to maintain influence at a moment when public opinion — especially among Democrats — is shifting sharply on Israel’s policies.

That effort is now being tested in a set of Democratic primaries in Illinois, where outside spending has become one of the defining features of the races. The contests, centred in the Chicago area, are shaping up as an early indicator of how much sway pro-Israel lobbying networks still hold as the US and Israel remain engaged in a war with Iran.

Groups linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, have emerged as some of the biggest spenders. But the way that money is being deployed tells its own story. Alongside AIPAC’s official election arm, the United Democracy Project, a number of newly formed political action committees with neutral-sounding names have entered the races, often sharing vendors and backing the same candidates.

Several of these groups do not have to disclose their donors until after the vote, making it difficult for voters to trace the origins of the funding. According to reporting by Chicago public radio WBEZ, AIPAC and its network of donors have spent $13.7m on the Illinois primaries, including funds channelled through these less transparent structures.

The strategy reflects a more complicated political environment. As criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza has grown, AIPAC’s brand has become more contested among Democratic voters. Critics argue that the shift has pushed pro-Israel groups to rely on less visible channels of influence.

Usamah Andrabi, a spokesperson for the progressive group Justice Democrats, said AIPAC is using “covert shell” groups because it is aware of the unpopularity of Israel, especially after the “live-streamed genocide” in Gaza.

“AIPAC has always relied on voters not knowing the whole story,” Andrabi said.

“AIPAC has become such a toxic force in the Democratic Party that voters now, when they see a candidate backed by AIPAC, they reject them simply for that support.”

A source close to AIPAC, speaking to Jewish Insider, said the group is focused on defeating six candidates across four Illinois races who have been critical of Israel.

One of the most closely watched contests is the race for the open congressional seat being vacated by longtime Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. The field includes Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old progressive activist with a large online following, who has described Israel’s war on Gaza as a genocide.

Her main competitors include Daniel Biss, mayor of the Chicago suburb of Evanston, and State Senator Laura Fine, who is widely seen as the pro-Israel candidate in the race.

The dynamics of outside spending in this contest have been fluid. At one stage, a group linked to AIPAC targeted Biss, potentially to strengthen Fine’s position. More recently, the focus has shifted toward Abughazaleh, reflecting concerns among pro-Israel groups about the risk of a progressive win.

In a more unusual move, a group connected to AIPAC ran an advertisement supporting Bushra Amiwala, a candidate who opposes US aid to Israel, in what appeared to be an attempt to split the progressive vote.

Amiwala quickly rejected the backing.

“This is an attempt to smear my name by putting my name next to pro-genocide, pro-war… billionaires,” she said.

AIPAC did not respond to requests for comment.

Polling suggests the race remains competitive. A recent Public Policy Polling survey placed Biss slightly ahead at 24 percent, with Abughazaleh close behind at 20 percent and Fine trailing at 14 percent.

A neighbouring district is also drawing attention. There, progressive candidate Junaid Ahmed has been narrowing the gap with former Congresswoman Melissa Bean, who is aligned with pro-Israel groups. Ahmed has focused largely on domestic issues but has also pointed to outside spending as a defining feature of the race.

“It’s dark money vs democracy, and tomorrow we will send AIPAC packing,” he wrote on social media.