AIPAC focuses funds on defeating Jewish candidate in Detroit primary

AIPAC is putting substantial resources into several races in the Detroit area that will vote in Tuesday's Democratic primary.

Among the main candidates they’re trying to prevent from winning are two-term congressman Andy Levin, 'Squad' member Rashida Tlaib and first-time US congressional candidate Shri Thanedar. 

Most of AIPAC’s resources for the Detroit-area races - which total more than $3 million through its PACs - are going toward helping with the campaign of Levin’s opponent, Haley Stevens, who has repeatedly pledged support for Israel.

The lobby group has also been supporting a political action committee, Urban Empowerment Action, that is purportedly supporting African American candidates. Most of the PAC's resources are going toward one of Tlaib’s opponents, Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey.

Meanwhile, Thanedar has missed out on AIPAC support due to past comments appearing supportive of BDS. His opponent Adam Hollier appears to be benefiting from his own more nuanced rhetoric on the subject. 

It's unclear why AIPAC has poured so many resources into Michigan, particularly the Detroit area, during this election cycle, given its relatively low population compared with New York, California, Texas or Florida.  

However, certain congress members in the state appear to have irked the lobby group, which for many years had candidates vying for their endorsement. Now, many of their advertisements, through their PACs and super PACS, make no mention of Israel. 

The election of Tlaib in 2018, along with other outspoken progressives, ushered in an era of a growing bloc of politicians who did not hold back in their criticism of Israeli policy and its relationship with the US. Both Tlaib and Ilhan Omar in neighbouring Minnesota became targets of AIPAC statements. 

With Levin, he appeared to provoke the lobby group’s ire when he introduced a bill that would condition US aid to Israel on it not expanding settlements. In a January email to donors, former AIPAC President David Victor, wrote that Levin was “arguably the most corrosive member of Congress to the US-Israel relationship.” 

This came as a surprise to many, due to Levin’s devotion to his faith and longtime support of Israel with only occasional criticisms of its policies.  

Nevertheless, instead of trying to prove his loyalty to Israel, he has been leaning into his progressive credentials, bringing together what he has described as a “beautiful coalition” of Jews, Arabs and union members.  

As for Thanedar, since his initial comments indicating his support for BDS, he has since reversed course, saying he does not support the movement, possibly a sign that AIPAC’s pressure has worked in this race.