AIPAC takes center stage in last stretch of Democratic contests before November

A major pro-Israel group is zeroing in on one of their last contests before November: The special election for former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D-Calif.) seat. 

The super PAC of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), United Democracy Project (UDP), has poured roughly $2.5 million into the race to attack frontrunner state Sen. Aisha Wahab (D) and elevate Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board President Melissa Hernandez (D) — raising eyebrows given Wahab handedly led Hernandez in the June special primary.  

Yet, AIPAC ties have also cropped up in a pair of Democratic contests in Florida and New Hampshire — some of the last states on the 2026 primary calendar — as infighting over money in politics and questions around the extent of U.S. support for Israel show no signs of waning ahead of November. 

“What I wish that AIPAC would do is sort of read the room that — for better or worse —  they have become a flashpoint, and they have become less helpful not just to themselves, but unfortunately to the cause itself,” said one national Democratic strategist who has worked with UDP in the past.

An AIPAC spokesperson pushed back, stating that more than 250 candidates backed by the group won their primary elections.

“Our community of 7 million Americans is focused on helping ensure pro-Israel Democratic and Republican candidates win in November,” they added.

AIPAC’s super PAC is making a multi-million dollar bet on California’s 14th Congressional District, which Swalwell represented until he resigned amid sexual assault allegations that he has denied.

Wahab and Hernandez are competing in two contests this year. The first is on Tuesday to finish the remainder of Swalwell’s term, while the second is for the full two-year term in November. Wahab led Hernandez by 26 percentage points in the special primary and by 21 points in the primary for the entire term.

Despite those margins, UDP has spent close to $2.5 million so far to elevate Hernandez and oppose Wahab. A separate group called Bold America, which has received money from UDP and was started by several former Congressional Hispanic Caucus, has spent roughly $1.8 million. 

Wahab is opposed to giving unconditional aid to Israel and introduced a resolution in the California legislature last year calling for an end to the........

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