The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) achieved victories in two Illinois House Democratic primaries but failed in the districts where it spent the most, including the 9th District won by Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss. AIPAC-aligned super PACs spent nearly $22 million across four races. The results prompted calls from allies and critics to reassess the group's strategy.
In Illinois Democratic primaries held on Tuesday, March 18, 2026, AIPAC-backed candidates Donna Miller and Melissa Bean won in the 2nd and 8th Districts, respectively. Miller defeated former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. in the 2nd, while Bean overcame progressive challengers in the 8th to succeed Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who lost his Senate primary bid to Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. However, AIPAC faced setbacks in the 9th and 7th Districts, where it invested heavily. In the 9th, the group spent $7 million, initially targeting Biss—whose mother is Israeli and who has criticized Israel's actions in Gaza—before shifting ads to progressive Kat Abughazaleh. Biss, endorsed by outgoing Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, won the crowded primary to succeed Schakowsky. In the 7th, nearly $5 million backed Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, who lost to state Rep. La Shawn Ford. An AIPAC-affiliated super PAC, United Democracy Project, spent over $1 million against Abughazaleh in the 9th, according to spokesperson Patrick Dorton, who called the overall outcome a 'pro-Israel win' for improving the Chicago delegation. A longtime AIPAC member, speaking anonymously, criticized the spending against Biss: “There was once again a vast amount of money spent and wasted... AIPAC should take a look at the results... and reconsider their strategy.” Biss declared at his victory party, “AIPAC found out the hard way — the 9th District is not for sale.” AIPAC spokesperson Deryn Sousa responded, “Illinois voters rejected half a dozen anti-Israel candidates... campaigns defined largely by opposition to AIPAC... continue to fall short.” Rep. Brad Schneider, an AIPAC ally, said, “You win some, you lose some.” J Street president Jeremy Ben-Ami stated the results show candidates “do not have to fear AIPAC’s spending.” The Illinois delegation's stance on Israel is not expected to shift significantly, with Biss's views similar to Schakowsky's and Miller replacing Rep. Robin Kelly.
