Exclusive: Anti-AIPAC group targets 9 House Dems for 2028
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American Priorities, which has devoted itself to countering the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC, is preparing to challenge nine House Democrats in 2028, the group told Axios exclusively.
Why it matters: The super PAC helped power the primary victories of democratic socialists and progressives across the country, including New York's Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez.
Zoom in: The pro-Palestinian group is feeling particularly bullish about its future in the Empire State.
- Politicians like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani — and a slate of congressional candidates he backed — have been rewarded at the ballot box after taking a hard-line stance against Israel.
- The organization is planning to target four Democrats in New York in 2028: Reps. Ritchie Torres, George Latimer, Laura Gillen and Tom Suozzi.
- The other Democrats the group expects to challenge are Reps. Jared Moskowitz of Florida and Greg Landsman of Ohio, as well as House nominees Melissa Bean of Illinois, Adrian Boafo of Maryland, and Ben McAdams of Utah, who are not in office but are favorites to win in November.
American Priorities, which spent more than $6 million this year, said it will invest more than that in 2028.
- "If there is only one lesson candidates and organizations take from 2026, it should be that Gaza is not a litmus test. It is a credibility test," the progressive group wrote in a memo, in which it claimed 12 primary wins this year with one loss.
- AIPAC was involved in only some of those races.
The intrigue: American Priorities also said it is looking to support Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.) in 2028, an eyebrow-raising move after it unsuccessfully tried to unseat her this year.
- Foushee fended off a challenge from progressive Nida Allam after pivoting on AIPAC and disavowing the group that had previously supported her.
What they're saying: Greg Krieg, a spokesman for American Priorities, told Axios that the super PAC disapproves of the campaigning and legislative records of the nine candidates on its 2028 target list.
- He singled out the recent vote by the six sitting House Democrats in favor of a proposal penalizing universities that take part in boycotts of Israel, calling it "clarifying."
- He added the nine Democrats "can get off the list" if they disavow AIPAC's support and champion policy "that respects the human rights of Palestinians."
The other side: AIPAC spokesperson Deryn Sousa shot back at American Priorities.
- "While anti-Israel dark money groups are focused on attacking AIPAC, our members are focused on strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship and helping elect more than 300 pro-Israel Democrats and Republicans across the country," said Sousa.
- "We have won more races than we've lost this year," said an aide for the United Democracy Project, AIPAC's super PAC.
- "I think it's silly to make that announcement without knowing what the world's going to look like in 2028," said one of the targeted Democrats, who requested anonymity.
What's next: American Priorities told Axios it plans to get involved in the Democrats' 2028 presidential primary, though it is not yet naming which contenders it would support or oppose.
- Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) are among the most pro-Palestinian contenders eyeing the White House.
- American Priorities also said it will wade into Senate races in New York, Colorado and Wisconsin in 2028.
