AIPAC works against progressive Democrat in Pennsylvania following Israel statements

After working hard to defeat progressive Democrat Summer Lee in the Pennsylvania primary race, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is once again throwing its weight behind her opponent. This time it's in the general midterm election that's just days away.

The lobby group - through their United Democracy Project (UDP) super PAC - has recently spent around $80,000 on postal messages against Lee, according to recent filings.

However, Lee managed to prevail after more than $2 million in UDP spending to win the Pittsburgh area's 12th district's May primary over corporate lawyer Steve Irwin.

Three days later, Federal Election Commission filings showed UDP spending on advertising in District 12 of more than $1 million.

A recent local news report quoted Lee as saying that during her primary the UDP attacked her for allegedly not being Democratic enough, while their current attack ads are criticising some of her past policy statements for being too far left.

Its's relatively unusual for a PAC to spend a large amount of money on a district that's not considered a swing district. However, the lobby group appears to have taken a special interest in Lee at least since her primary run.

Though she has primarily focused on domestic issues and has rarely mentioned Israel, AIPAC appears to have found objection with her few comments on Israel. It's also possible that her overall progressive platform has indicated to them that she would, like some left-wing members of Congress, become an outspoken critic of Israel.

This is one of many Democratic-favoured races that has tightened in recent days as every last vote is hard-fought in the final stretch.