Washington, DC — Pro-Israel groups are pouring millions into Illinois Democratic primaries as they try to blunt growing anger over Israeli policy amid the wider conflict with Iran.
Campaign finance records and investigative reports indicate roughly $13.7 million has been spent on the Chicago-area contests, including money routed through shadow PACs and other committees that share vendors with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Several dark‑money groups that do not have to disclose donors until after the vote have backed the same slate of candidates favored by the lobby.
Critics say AIPAC and allied donors are increasingly using generically named entities to limit political fallout from direct ties to the group. Usamah Andrabi, a spokesperson for Justice Democrats, accused the lobby of relying on “covert shell” groups because AIPAC’s brand has become toxic for many Democrats after the live‑streamed atrocities in Gaza. He noted AIPAC’s electoral arm, the United Democracy Project, deploys a name that does not mention Israel. “AIPAC has always relied on voters not knowing the whole story,” Andrabi told Al Jazeera, adding that many voters reject candidates once they learn of AIPAC backing.
One of the most closely watched races is the open Chicago‑area seat left by retiring Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. Progressive activist Kat Abughazaleh, 26, who has described Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, is competing in a crowded Democratic primary. Her principal opponents include former Illinois state senator Daniel Biss, backed by liberal Zionist group J Street and critical of some Israeli policies, and State Senator Laura Fine, viewed as the pro‑Israel establishment choice.
AIPAC‑linked groups initially targeted Biss to help Fine, but attention has shifted toward Abughazaleh as her campaign gained traction. In a notable maneuver, an AIPAC‑linked group ran an ad supporting long‑shot candidate Bushra Amiwala, who opposes U.S. aid to Israel — an apparent effort to siphon votes from Abughazaleh and possibly Biss. Amiwala publicly disavowed the ad, calling it a smear linking her to “pro‑genocide, pro‑war” billionaires. AIPAC did not respond to requests for comment.
Justice Democrats has endorsed Abughazaleh and argues that even a Biss victory would dent AIPAC’s agenda. A recent Public Policy Polling survey showed Biss at 24 percent, Abughazaleh at 20 percent and Fine at 14 percent.
Elsewhere in the region, progressive challengers are explicitly framing their races around opposition to outside influence. In a neighboring district, Junaid Ahmed has narrowed the gap with former Congresswoman Melissa Bean while campaigning on domestic issues and denouncing AIPAC interference. “It’s dark money vs democracy, and tomorrow we will send AIPAC packing,” Ahmed wrote on social media.
Other competitive Illinois primaries include the race to replace Representative Robin Kelly, who is running for the Senate. That contest features former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. alongside candidates such as Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, supported by pro‑Israel groups, and State Senator Robert Peters, a critic of AIPAC. In the crowded primary to replace retiring Congressman Danny Davis, reports say AIPAC has prioritized defeating activist Kina Collins; other contenders include Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears‑Ervin and State Representative LaShawn Ford.
A separate, high‑stakes primary will help determine the Democratic nominee likely to succeed long‑serving Senator Dick Durbin. Congresswoman Robin Kelly, who has accused Israel of genocide, faces Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi — both reliable supporters of Israel.
Andrabi and other progressive organizers argue that regardless of specific outcomes, polling shows AIPAC’s influence is waning among the Democratic electorate. He said the lobby has shifted from trying to elect favored candidates to focusing on blocking progressive hopefuls, but added: “I think it is very clear that AIPAC is losing the long‑term battle for the future of this party.”
An NBC survey published Monday found just 17 percent of Democratic voters sympathize more with Israelis than Palestinians, underscoring shifting attitudes. The primaries come as U.S. actions related to the Iran conflict begin to affect Americans directly, including upward pressure on fuel prices, and many Democratic candidates have spoken against strikes on Iran without congressional authorization.
For progressives and their allies, Tuesday’s votes are an early referendum on foreign policy and on the role of pro‑Israel lobbying in Democratic politics. “This Democratic base does not want any more forever wars,” Andrabi said. “They do not want a war with Iran, and they do not want a war that we are waging for the sake of Israel or AIPAC.”