Special Investigations

Press Freedom Defense Fund

Illinois Results: Biss Leads Abughazaleh in Chicago as AIPAC Beats AI PAC Across Town

2nd District voters picked Donna Miller, backed by AIPAC-funded groups, while progressives Daniel Biss and Kat Abughazaleh compete in the 9th District.

Democratic voters chose the pro-Israel lobby candidate Donna Miller in Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District Tuesday night, marking an initial win for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee as observers await results in the state’s other closely watched districts and Senate race.

With five open House seats and one open Senate seat heavily favored for Democrats, the Illinois primaries presented a test for the future of the party — and became a top target for outside groups that poured more than $50 million into races throughout the state. The infusion of outside cash included more than $35 million in spending from groups linked to the AIPAC and the cryptocurrency and AI industries. 

Dozens of super PACs in Illinois sought to influence the competitive Democratic primaries, often while concealing both their donors and broader intentions. In the highly watched 9th Congressional District, AIPAC used groups with uncontroversial titles like “Elect Chicago Women” and “Chicago Progressive Partnership” to boost its pick, state Sen. Laura Fine, and pit progressive candidates against one another. The two progressives were leading in the results, with Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss ahead of activist and journalist Kat Abughazaleh, within two hours of polls closing Tuesday night.

The groups’ competing ads at times inflamed and at times distracted from voter concerns over civil liberties, the economy, bipartisan fealty to corporations and wealthy donors, and now the unfolding war in Iran. 

The Illinois primaries presented a test for AIPAC in particular, which spent more than $22 million in several races in and around deep-blue Chicago while obscuring the pro-Israel lobby’s involvement amid growing criticism. In several other........

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