Progressives Face Down AIPAC Cash in High-Stakes Primaries

The scale of outside spending has defined this cycle, with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) pouring over $100 million into key races. In Michigan, the Senate primary between progressive former public health official Abdul El-Sayed and U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens serves as the centerpiece of this battle. Former Obama staffer Dan Pfeiffer characterized the race as one of the most expensive and intense Democratic primaries in history, noting that party leadership is heavily invested in preventing an El-Sayed victory.

Down-ballot races reflect similar tensions. In Michigan’s 13th District, labor organizer Donavan McKinney is challenging U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, a multimillionaire incumbent who has faced scrutiny for his reliance on AIPAC funding and his voting record on military aid to Israel. Meanwhile, in the 7th District, Sunrise Movement co-founder William Lawrence is running a grassroots campaign against moderate candidates, centering his platform on a moratorium for AI data centers and aggressive climate policy.

In Missouri’s 1st District, former U.S. Rep. Cori Bush is attempting to reclaim her seat from Rep. Wesley Bell. Their contest is a rematch of a 2024 race where a super PAC affiliated with AIPAC spent heavily to unseat the progressive incumbent. While Bell maintains a significant financial advantage, local organizers suggest that voters are experiencing buyer's remorse, particularly following Bell’s legislative support for ICE. As polls open, these races will determine whether the party’s base—driven by calls for Medicare for All and a shift in foreign policy—can successfully displace entrenched, corporate-backed incumbents.