Aug 11, 2026 · 28 min

AIPAC turns congressional races into tests of political power

The AIPAC backlash

The episode examines how campaign spending, criticism of Israel, and changing public opinion are reshaping Democratic politics.

3 key takeaways

1AIPAC evolved from a bipartisan lobbying organization into a major force in congressional elections through super PAC spending.
2Andy Levin says millions in positive advertising helped Haley Stevens defeat him in Michigan’s 2022 Democratic primary.
3A later Michigan victory suggests heavily funded political groups can face limits when campaigns and public attitudes change.

Don't miss

Andy Levin explains how millions of dollars in positive advertising helped Haley Stevens defeat him in the 2022 Michigan primary.

The brief

The episode opens in Michigan, where a congressional race raises a broader question: how can voters follow campaign money when multiple PACs obscure its original source?

David Dayen explains how AIPAC moved from bipartisan lobbying toward super PAC spending aimed at shaping which candidates reach Congress, especially after progressive Democrats gained influence.

The central tension is political and personal: criticism of Israel and AIPAC collides with the real history of antisemitism, making campaign-finance debates unusually charged.

Former Congressman Andy Levin describes his Jewish identity, his views on Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking, and why he believes AIPAC opposed him in Michigan’s 2022 primary.

Levin says millions in positive advertising helped Haley Stevens defeat him, while a later Abdul El-Sayed victory showed money can meet limits when campaigns and public attitudes shift.

Featuring