How AIPAC-backed candidates fared in the US midterm elections—and where spending fell short

Many backed candidates won

The group’s spending record also varied by race. James Talarico won a Texas Senate seat by more than 12 percentage points after publicly rejecting AIPAC campaign funding; allied pro-Israel groups gave about $6,000 to his opponent, Ken Paxton. Rina Shah, a geopolitical adviser and former senior GOP congressional aide, said even Republican candidates are reconsidering whether to accept the group’s money.

Spending went to defeated candidates

The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft tallied $84m in spending by AIPAC, UDP and linked groups during the election cycle. About $55m went to candidates who did not win, close to two-thirds of the total.

In Michigan, AIPAC and affiliated PACs spent about $30m supporting Representative Haley Stevens in her unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination. The New York Times reported that AIPAC later spent another $9m backing Republican Mike Rogers, who lost on November 3 to Abdul El-Sayed.

Losses in California and wins elsewhere

In a California House contest, Melissa Hernandez received more than $6m in support from UDP and other pro-Israel groups as she challenged Aisha Wahab. Wahab, a left-leaning Afghan American who has often criticised Israel, won the race.

Pro-Israel groups have also backed successful candidates, particularly in Democratic primaries. The article said this has helped the party nominate candidates who are not too far left or overly critical of Israel.

George Latimer won re-election to a New York House seat just north of New York City. AIPAC spent about $14m in 2024 to defeat his opponent, Jamaal Bowman, a left-wing Israel critic.