Illinois Results: Biss Leads Abughazaleh in Chicago as AIPAC Beats AI PAC Across Town

Democratic voters chose the pro-Israel lobby candidate Donna Miller in Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District Tuesday night, marking an initial win for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee as observers await results in the state’s other closely watched districts and Senate race.

With five open House seats and one open Senate seat heavily favored for Democrats, the Illinois primaries presented a test for the future of the party — and became a top target for outside groups that poured more than $50 million into races throughout the state. The infusion of outside cash included more than $35 million in spending from groups linked to the AIPAC and the cryptocurrency and AI industries. 

Dozens of super PACs in Illinois sought to influence the competitive Democratic primaries, often while concealing both their donors and broader intentions. In the highly watched 9th Congressional District, AIPAC used groups with uncontroversial titles like “Elect Chicago Women” and “Chicago Progressive Partnership” to boost its pick, state Sen. Laura Fine, and pit progressive candidates against one another. The two progressives were leading in the results, with Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss ahead of activist and journalist Kat Abughazaleh, within two hours of polls closing Tuesday night.

The groups’ competing ads at times inflamed and at times distracted from voter concerns over civil liberties, the economy, bipartisan fealty to corporations and wealthy donors, and now the unfolding war in Iran. 

The Illinois primaries presented a test for AIPAC in particular, which spent more than $22 million in several races in and around deep-blue Chicago while obscuring the pro-Israel lobby’s involvement amid growing criticism. In several other races, AIPAC donors have funneled money to candidates where it did not officially endorse, including in the U.S. Senate race, The Intercept reported. 

The crypto industry spent more than $13 million in Illinois races through the super PAC Fairshake, including close to $10 million against Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in the Senate race and more than $3 million in two races attacking candidates who have voted for consumer protection regulations on cryptocurrency. The AI industry poured in another $2.5 million in two House races. 

This story will be updated as additional races are called.

2nd District: Miller Wins in Blow to AI Lobby

Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller fended off a comeback attempt from former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. in a race that pitted AIPAC against the artificial intelligence industry.

Miller was backed heavily by a PAC affiliated with the pro-Israel group, while Jackson drew support from an AI PAC funded by tech leaders.

Jackson had the star power of his civil rights activist father’s name but was tarnished by a federal fraud conviction for misusing campaign funds over a decade ago during his previous stint as a U.S. representative.

AIPAC’s role in the race made headlines in February, when retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, vacating her 9th Congressional District seat, withdrew her endorsement of Miller over the group’s support for her.

Meanwhile, the progressive standardbearer in the race — state Sen. Robert Peters — was trailing far behind on Tuesday night, despite endorsements from Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.

Peters made the involvement of outside groups ranging from AIPAC to cryptocurrency to artificial intelligence PACs a theme of his campaign, blasting his opponents for relying on their support.

This is a developing story and will be updated.