How a new super PAC formed to counter AIPAC is fueling democratic socialists’ wins

American Priorities Super PAC Emerges as a Counterweight to AIPAC in Democratic Primaries

How a new super PAC formed – Two years ago, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) spent millions of dollars through its super PAC to thwart progressive candidates who criticized Israel’s policies. Reps. Cori Bush of Missouri and Jamaal Bowman of New York, both vocal opponents of Israeli actions in Gaza, lost their races after AIPAC’s financial influence swayed key voters. “AIPAC, I’m coming to tear your kingdom down,” Bush declared in her concession speech, a sentiment that now seems prophetic as the organization’s rivals begin to reclaim ground. With the 2024 election cycle in full swing, a new political force has taken shape: the American Priorities super PAC. This group, formed just six months ago, is rapidly reshaping the dynamics of House Democratic primaries by supporting candidates who challenge AIPAC’s dominance in the party’s fundraising landscape.

A Rising Threat to AIPAC’s Influence

American Priorities has already become a significant player in the Democratic race, pouring at least $5.6 million into campaigns that align with its anti-AIPAC agenda. Unlike AIPAC, which has spent over $34 million this cycle, the new PAC focuses on amplifying voices critical of Israel’s war in Gaza and the organization’s sway over Democratic voters. Its efforts have been instrumental in securing victories for two democratic socialists—Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez—in recent New York primaries. Additionally, the group contributed to Melat Kiros’s win over Colorado Rep. Diana DeGette on Tuesday, marking a turning point for progressive candidates who had long been overshadowed by big donors.

While American Priorities’ budget is still dwarfed by AIPAC’s, its strategic use of funds has demonstrated a new level of political agility. The PAC has invested upwards of $1 million in individual races, often targeting critical moments in campaigns. This approach has proven vital in races like Avila Chevalier’s, where a late ad blitz by AIPAC focused on her past controversial tweets threatened to derail her bid. By launching multiple TV and digital ads in the final days of the primary, American Priorities highlighted her support from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and positioned her as a tougher opponent to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) than the incumbent, Rep. Adriano Espaillat.

“The same scrutiny that’s applied to the AIPAC super PAC should be applied to anti-Israel dark money as well,” said Patrick Dorton, a spokesman for United Democracy Project, AIPAC’s super PAC. He emphasized that while American Priorities has disrupted the status quo, its impact remains a matter of independent evaluation for AIPAC’s strategy.

For progressives, the rise of American Priorities has been a game-changer. Many had grown accustomed to being outspent three to one by AIPAC, which has long been a dominant force in financing Democratic candidates. Usamah Andrabi, a spokesperson for Justice Democrats—a progressive group often aligned with American Priorities—called the 2024 cycle “a bruising but real building cycle.” He argued that the PAC’s emergence has allowed the left to contest AIPAC’s influence more effectively, turning the tide in favor of grassroots movements.

Greg Krieg, a spokesperson for American Priorities, explained the group’s mission in a statement: “We believed there was nothing close to a countervailing force to AIPAC in primaries. The idea was to create a spending force that would back candidates who speak plainly about the issues most Democratic voters—indeed, most Americans—already care about.” This focus on truth-telling and ideological consistency has positioned American Priorities as a counterbalance to the traditional money-centric politics that have plagued the Democratic Party for years.

A Test of Ideological Resolve

However, the rise of American Priorities also poses an ideological challenge for the progressive left. While many have criticized AIPAC’s role in funding pro-Israel candidates, some now question whether the new PAC’s own financial influence could undermine the grassroots ethos that defines much of the Democratic Party’s base. Justice Democrats noted that Avila Chevalier’s victory was “without the support of American Priorities,” underscoring the group’s importance in shifting the balance of power.

Cori Bush, who is making a comeback bid for her old seat in an August primary, has acknowledged the growing role of American Priorities. “I don’t know much about the group yet,” she told CNN recently, “but I believe AIPAC’s opponents now need to go full force to counter its influence.” Bush, a former community organizer, highlighted the need to challenge big money in politics, particularly from AIPAC and other corporate-backed entities. “Having a counterweight to AIPAC and the big cryptocurrency folks, big real estate, big pharma, and war profiteers will be useful to us,” she added, “because often one of our issues is that we’re grassroots.”

The success of American Priorities in recent races has sparked broader discussions about the future of fundraising in the Democratic Party. The PAC’s ability to inject substantial resources into specific primaries without the same level of visibility as AIPAC suggests a new era of targeted political spending. As of June 3, American Priorities has raised $5.5 million, a figure that, while modest compared to AIPAC’s eight-figure contributions, represents a meaningful shift in how the left can compete in key races.

Despite its growing influence, American Priorities has not yet faced AIPAC directly in major primaries. Both groups have opted to focus on strategic battles rather than engaging in a head-to-head showdown. This approach allows them to maximize their impact by targeting races where their messages align most closely with the electorate’s concerns. For instance, in Maryland, AIPAC’s super PAC spent nearly $6 million alone in a single House primary, ensuring its preferred candidate’s victory. In contrast, American Priorities’ smaller but more focused spending has allowed it to support candidates like Chris Rabb, who is running for an open House seat in Philadelphia.

As the election cycle progresses, the competition between these two groups will likely intensify. American Priorities’ presence in the primaries has already forced AIPAC to adapt its strategies, and the question remains: can this new force sustain its momentum? For now, the Democratic left sees American Priorities as a symbol of hope, a way to reclaim control of the narrative and ensure that the voices of ordinary voters are heard. Whether this translates into long-term political success will depend on how effectively the PAC can maintain its focus and scale its influence across the country.

With the 2024 elections shaping up as a pivotal moment for the Democratic Party, the battle between AIPAC and its growing opposition is far from over. While American Priorities may not yet match AIPAC’s financial firepower, its ability to act decisively in critical races has already made a noticeable difference. As the primaries continue, the PAC’s role in supporting democratic socialists and other progressive candidates will be closely watched, with implications that extend beyond the immediate races to the broader future of American politics.