AIPAC gets split results for supported candidates in 2026 Illinois primary election
American Israel Public Affairs Committee spent reported $22M supporting pro-Israel candidates in Tuesday's IL primary election
FLOSSMOOR, Ill. (WLS) -- The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, known as AIPAC, spent a reported $22 million supporting pro-Israel candidates in Tuesday's Illinois primary election.
They wound up with a couple wins and a couple losses.
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Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss thanked voters at a CTA stop in town Wednesday afternoon.
Biss emerged from a huge field of 15 Democrats to win the 9th District congressional primary Tuesday.
That was despite AIPAC spending millions attacking him and supporting one of his opponents. Biss says he is opposed to the war in Iran.
"Because of AIPAC's involvement, the $7 million and more they spent, it was a core issue in this race," Biss said.
Biss, whose mother was born in Israel, says AIPAC's influence seems to have diminished.
The group has been around for about 75 years, donating millions to pro-Israel candidates around the country.
"In this election cycle so far, this strategy seems to be, 'let's go after any candidate who is not blindly pro-Israel,'" said Suzanne Chod, a professor at North Central College.
AIPAC supported Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, who won the 2nd District Democratic primary and Melissa Bean, who won the Democratic primary in the 8th District.
Miller was out thanking voters at a restaurant in Flossmoor Wednesday morning.
"The support from AIPAC was not a determining factor for voters in the 2nd District. People in the community weren't talking about it. Honestly, I think it was media and my opponents," Miller said.
In a statement, AIPAC made little mention of the races they lost, but noted the victories and vowed to continue.
"AIPAC's 6.5 million grassroots members remain committed to supporting Democrats and Republicans who support a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and helping defeat those who don't," the statement said.
"The strategy has to be reevaluated. If you're attacking candidates and trying to get them out and they actually could be your allies come January 2027, it's a really shortsighted strategy," Chod said.
Political experts say AIPAC may have taken a hit in Illinois, but they expect the group to continue to raise money and to continue to have influence in the general election in November.
