AJP Action congratulates Abdul El-Sayed on his resounding victory over AIPAC-backed Haley Stevens.
His campaign defeated a political machine that poured unprecedented amounts of money into stopping him. Outside groups spent roughly $62 million backing Haley Stevens, giving her a 9-to-1 spending advantage. More than $32 million of that came from AIPAC’s super PAC alone, the largest amount any single outside group spent in a Democratic federal primary this cycle.
Dr. Osama Abu Irshaid, Executive Director of AJP Action, said:
“First, to the Democratic Party: voters are increasingly unwilling to accept the status quo on Israel. Years of unconditional political support have put the party at odds with a growing share of its own base and with broader public opinion, as poll after poll has shown Americans becoming more critical of the Israeli government and more supportive of restricting U.S. military aid.
Second, AIPAC may be able to pour vast amounts of dark money into smearing its opponents in service of Israel, but its tactics and manipulations are increasingly failing, even within segments of the Republican Party.
Third, to every candidate seeking public office: your mandate is to serve your constituents, not a foreign state, and certainly not in exchange for tainted money. Eventually, each of you will face a moment of truth.”
This November, Abdul will face Mike Rogers, a champion of U.S. unconditional support for Israel and one of Congress’s most vocal defenders of the post-9/11 surveillance apparatus. As former chair of the House Intelligence Committee, he repeatedly backed expansive NSA surveillance authorities that have disproportionately targeted Muslim and Arab American communities.
Last night’s victory is not the finish line, but the foundation for what comes next. Let’s carry this momentum through November and get Abdul sworn into the U.S. Senate. Donate and find other ways to support his campaign here.
Don’t forget to save your spot for our upcoming Palestine Advocacy Days happening next month!
