Is AIPAC Okay?

AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobbying group, spent heavily in the midterm elections but most of its spending went towards candidates who lost. The results, including victories by candidates who criticised the group and its policies, suggest that AIPAC’s influence may be weakening and that its association could be a liability for candidates.

AIPAC and its affiliated United Democracy Project spent about $84 million on races for 333 of the 473 seats contested, with roughly $55 million supporting losing candidates. Illinois candidate Daniel Biss won 75 per cent of the vote despite more than $7 million being spent against him, while Michigan’s Abdul El-Sayed won a Senate seat and thanked AIPAC for giving him the chance to beat it. In October, AIPAC said it would stop making direct endorsements, though it continues to fund candidates through affiliated groups.