* From a really well-researched Mother Jones article on Gov. JB Pritzker…
In some respects, Pritzker makes an awkward champion for a Democratic Party looking for a new direction. He is a billionaire in an electorate raging against oligarchy and a former AIPAC supporter at a time when support for Israel is plummeting. (A spokesperson for the governor said Pritzker had not donated to the group in “nearly a decade” and “believes the organization has abandoned its bipartisan principles and become a pro-Trump organization.”)
* Since the American Israel Public Affairs Committee is in the news a lot here lately in Illinois, I reached out to the governor’s campaign about that Mother Jones profile…
Q: So, what are the governor’s thoughts on AIPAC’s involvement in several Illinois congressional Democratic primaries?
A The Governor’s feeling on AIPAC’s abandonment of their principles remains the same. Just because they donate to certain Democrats doesn’t change the fact that they are heeding the words and direction of Jared Kushner and other Trump acolytes.
Q: Should those Democrats denounce the group?
A: The Governor has been clear about his own views. Other candidates can speak for themselves.
This could add an interesting twist.
- Anti-AIPAC Democrat - Friday, Feb 13, 26 @ 8:47 am:
Just endorse Daniel Biss, JB, and put an end to this nonsense in the 9th.
- Roadrager - Friday, Feb 13, 26 @ 8:48 am:
AIPAC just finished losing a race they dumped a ton of money into because the incumbent, who is pro-Israel, was not sufficiently deferential to the actions of the Netanyahu government. The incumbent lost, but whoops, the furthest left and most anti-AIPAC candidate won instead.
The kindest way to describe AIPAC in their current form is as a foreign influence group. If Pritzker somehow got the nomination in 2028, they would eagerly show their true colors.
- Torco Sign - Friday, Feb 13, 26 @ 8:57 am:
Pritzker is too afraid to say anything about Laura Fine because it would help Biss (he should probably get over 2018) and go against some of his biggest cheerleaders in the state legislature. Courage!
- not buying it - Friday, Feb 13, 26 @ 9:20 am:
The Democratic primary voters of the Illinois 9th Congressional District have perhaps the most informed and nuanced views in the world about AIPAC, J Street, Israel, Palestine, Gaza, US Foreign Policy, etc. It is laughable that outsiders (from the farthest right and farthest left) thought they could parachute in here and sell us jingoism and demagoguery, or at least it would be laughable if not for how deadly serious these issues are for us.
- P-Town Cynic - Friday, Feb 13, 26 @ 9:39 am:
-I would be interested to hear someone ask the Governor about how much money and support AIPAC has given his LG and Senate pick in response to these statements, and if that should disqualify her.-
I believe the second of Rich’s questions covered your inquiry.
- Mason County - Friday, Feb 13, 26 @ 9:42 am:
Pulled this from Wikipedia. =Findley lost his seat in 1982 to current United States Senator Dick Durbin who benefited from significant financial support from Israeli-aligned PACs, particularly AIPAC, which helped fuel his defeat. Findley was a cofounder of the Council for the National Interest, a Washington, D.C. advocacy group, and was a vocal critic of American policy towards Israel.=
And yes, I remember this.
So Illinois interest in Israeli/Palestinian politics goes back quite a way. Als interesting how things can change.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 13, 26 @ 9:45 am:
===about how much money and support AIPAC has given his LG and Senate pick ===
You have any proof of that or are you just “asking questions”? Because if it’s the latter, you’re not gonna last long here. And if it’s the former, then you need to explain.
- Angela - Friday, Feb 13, 26 @ 9:57 am:
Hopefully the Governor will create a new Democratic or bipartisan zionist organization that will be better than AIPAC and can fund and support moderate Democrats?