AIPAC faces growing resistance despite massive US election spending

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is exerting significant financial influence in the 2026 US midterm elections. Through its affiliated vehicle, the United Democracy Project (UDP), the group has spent $54 million, making it the largest outside spender of the cycle. The broader pro-Israel donor network has reached total expenditures of $71 million.

AIPAC focuses its spending on supporting candidates who advocate for strong US-Israel ties and military assistance, while targeting politicians who criticize unconditional support for Israel. This strategy has increasingly targeted Democratic primary contests. However, this heavy spending has not consistently resulted in victories. AIPAC-backed candidates have faced significant resistance from progressive voters, with notable losses in Michigan, California, Illinois, and New York.

In Michigan, for example, AIPAC and allied groups spent approximately $30 million against progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who ultimately defeated establishment-backed Congresswoman Haley Stevens in the Democratic Senate primary. The group’s influence is also facing scrutiny from within the Republican Party, where allies of Senate candidate Mike Rogers reportedly requested that the group avoid public advertising to prevent alienating Arab-American voters. These shifts reflect changing American attitudes toward Israel following recent regional conflicts.