American Priorities Pledges $2 Million in New York as AIPAC PAC Tops $1 Million in Maryland
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 4
American Priorities Pledges $2 Million in New York as AIPAC PAC Tops $1 Million in Maryland
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 4
Summary
$2 million from American Priorities is headed to New York primaries for Israel-critical Democrats Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez, extending the party’s fight over Israel into June contests.
That push follows a New Jersey win Tuesday, where the anti-AIPAC super PAC helped Israel critic Adam Hawamy emerge from a 12-way primary and claimed Democratic voters broadly back tougher criticism of U.S. policy toward Gaza.
More than $1 million from AIPAC’s United Democracy Project is already promoting Maryland state Del. Adrian Boafo in the race to replace retiring Rep. Steny Hoyer, though its ads emphasize immigration and anti-Trump themes rather than Israel.
Boafo’s rivals, including Nancy Pelosi-backed Harry Dunn, are trying to weaponize AIPAC’s spending, while Democratic Majority for Israel is also backing pro-Israel candidates in California, New York and Maryland.
The spending underscores how super PACs are shaping Democratic primaries as the party tests whether its Israel-critical wing can keep gaining ground against entrenched pro-Israel groups.
With millions from new PACs shaping election ads, how are voters navigating foreign policy debates in local primaries?
Can strategic alliances under ranked-choice voting overcome a front-runner's lead in a crowded primary field?
The 2026 Democratic Primaries: Super PAC Money, Israel Policy, and the Fight for Party Identity
Overview
The 2026 Democratic primaries are being shaped by a surge of Super PAC spending, especially from groups like the United Democracy Project (UDP), which is building a large war chest to influence key races. These Super PACs, often focused on the party’s stance on Israel, use aggressive financial strategies that make it harder to sway a Democratic Party increasingly skeptical of unconditional support for Israel. The scale of this spending was seen in 2024, when AIPAC spent a record $14.5 million to defeat a progressive critic, highlighting how big money is driving internal party battles and raising concerns about transparency and the influence of wealthy donors.