AIPAC's Controversial Strategy in New Jersey Primary Sparks Democratic Backlash
In a surprising twist ahead of Thursday's Democratic primary for a New Jersey congressional seat, the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has launched an aggressive campaign against former Representative Tom Malinowski. This move has left many Democrats puzzled and concerned that it might accidentally bolster the chances of progressive activist Analilia Mejia, potentially adding a new member to the progressive "Squad" that AIPAC has historically opposed.
Unconventional Targeting Raises Eyebrows
The United Democracy Project, a super PAC controlled and funded by AIPAC allies, has spent millions on television ads, mailers, and phone calls targeting Malinowski. One ad features a female narrator stating, "ICE's deportation force is out of control," and accusing Malinowski of voting with former President Trump to increase funding. What makes this strategy particularly unusual is that Malinowski is not only a former AIPAC ally but also a mainstream liberal, far from the most left-wing candidate in the race. That distinction belongs to Mejia, a former top official on Senator Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign.
Many New Jersey Democrats, including some typically sympathetic to AIPAC's cause, believe that attacking Malinowski could inadvertently boost Mejia's prospects. "They're taking a big risk here," said a Democratic operative in the state who works for an elected official friendly with AIPAC and requested anonymity. "Attacking the front-runner from the left is usually going to end up helping the most left-wing candidate in the race."
Confusion Over Strategy and Potential Consequences
Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of the moderate pro-Israel group J Street, expressed bewilderment at AIPAC's approach. "It feels like a case of mistaken identity," Ben-Ami said. "I cannot, for the life of me, understand the theory behind this." The primary features four main candidates: Malinowski, Mejia, former Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way (who many believe pro-Israel groups prefer), and Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, backed by former Governor Phil Murphy and local unions.
AIPAC has defended its position, arguing that Malinowski's views make him a worthy target and that other candidates in the race are more pro-Israel. An AIPAC ally, speaking anonymously, noted that many candidates could run again in the regularly scheduled midterm election primary in June, suggesting, "We're going to have a second bite of the apple."
Broader Implications for Democratic Politics
The battle for New Jersey's 11th district, which includes northern suburbs, follows Mikie Sherrill's departure to become governor. This race is seen as a potential preview for Democratic primaries nationwide in 2026, where candidates must navigate free-spending outside groups pushing the party to the center and a resurgent progressive base moving the conversation left. Operatives warn that predicting the outcome is difficult due to recent changes in the state's ballot system and potentially low turnout—possibly as few as 30,000 voters, less than half of the 2024 primary turnout.
In an interview, Malinowski said AIPAC representatives told him his support for conditioning aid to Israel necessitated their attacks. He suggested his experience as a former State Department official and House Foreign Affairs Committee member made him an "influential voice" in the party, thus more dangerous than Mejia. Malinowski now frames the race as an opportunity for Democratic voters to stand up to AIPAC and other groups using massive electoral spending to shape primaries. "For the Democratic Party, the stakes are higher because we now have an outside group, largely funded by pro-Trump billionaires, using this race to send an intimidating message," Malinowski said.
National Attention and Shifting Dynamics
Democrats outside New Jersey are closely watching the race to see how voters react to outside spending, which is expected in dozens of primary races across the country, including from the cryptocurrency industry. While AIPAC successfully ousted two progressive members of Congress in 2024, Ben-Ami noted that Democratic voters have soured significantly on Israel following its siege of Gaza, which killed over 70,000 people. "It is possible that in 2026 being on the receiving end in the Democratic primary of an attack from AIPAC may actually be beneficial to you," Ben-Ami said, whose group has endorsed both Malinowski and Gill.
The United Democracy Project has spent over $3 million attacking Malinowski, making it the biggest super PAC in the race. Other groups include the 218 Project backing Malinowski, the Democratic Lieutenant Governors' Association supporting Way, and a mysterious PAC called Article One, Inc. Some candidates have suggested that money flowing into Article One or the DLGA may be linked to AIPAC, though the DLGA denies any coordination.
Candidates' Positions and Endorsements
Way, who has built her campaign around standing up to Trump during his challenges to New Jersey election law when she was Secretary of State, has garnered support from many pro-Israel voices. The Democratic Majority for Israel has endorsed her, and she proudly highlights her past work leading a state commission dedicated to building closer ties between New Jersey and Israel. "I don't support any conditions on Israel," Way told HuffPost, while noting that outside groups' actions are beyond her control.
Meanwhile, Mejia has benefited from high-profile national endorsements from Sanders, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Representative Ro Khanna, all of whom have held in-person campaign events for her. "Analilia Mejia is an organizer, not a career politician—and that's exactly the kind of leadership we need if we're serious about taking on corruption and corporate power," Ocasio-Cortez said at a January rally.
Mejia's arguments resonate with progressives nationwide: "Traditional politics and the same ol' blue is not going to be effective in confronting MAGA Trumpism and a corrupt administration," she said. Her rise in the race is attributed to two factors: her endorsements and rising anger at ICE in the district, fueled by deadly shootings in Minnesota and the detention of a high school student at a local laundromat.
Mejia condemned AIPAC's involvement as an example of billionaires trying to buy elections but did not sound disappointed they were attacking her rival. "I do find it interesting that it takes being personally attacked for some people, some candidates, to denounce them," she said, adding, "The first step is to never take their money."
