The progressive faction within the Democratic Party, known as the “Squad,” is set to shrink next year as two of its members, Reps. Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman, suffered primary defeats following significant special interest spending. Pro-Israel PACs like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) targeted the Squad members after they criticized Israel’s response to an attack by Hamas. AIPAC’s super PAC, United Democracy Project, poured nearly $25 million into the races, leading to the defeat of Bush and Bowman. These losses raised questions about whether voters rejected their progressive politics or other factors contributed to their defeat.
In New York’s 16th District, Bowman faced challenges due to redistricting that reduced the number of key Black voters in his reelection effort. Additionally, his opponent, George Latimer, had strong support from Jewish leaders upset with Bowman’s stance on Israel. AIPAC’s super PAC spent about $15 million to support Latimer, emphasizing Bowman’s focus on Israel over the needs of the district. The race was also shaped by Bowman’s triggering of a fire alarm in a House building, which drew criticism and led to censure. These factors ultimately contributed to Bowman’s defeat in the primary.
In Missouri’s 1st District, the defeat of Bush was influenced by campaign ads that highlighted her vote against a bipartisan infrastructure bill, which was supported by President Joe Biden and the majority of Democrats in Congress. Despite Bush’s defense of the vote as necessary for passage of a separate social and environmental package, the ads portrayed her as voting against the interests of working people in her district. Outside groups like United Democracy Project spent millions to air these ads, contributing to Bush’s loss in the primary. Additionally, Bush faced personal scandals and an ongoing Justice Department investigation into her campaign spending.
In Minnesota’s 5th District, Rep. Ilhan Omar managed to avoid defeat in her primary despite facing a strong challenger and potential involvement from AIPAC. Omar’s fundraising advantage, endorsements from Democratic Party leaders, and progressive figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders were key factors in her victory. Despite the threat of AIPAC involvement, the group ultimately did not get involved in Omar’s race. This allowed her to focus on reminding voters of the leadership she had brought to the district and ultimately secure a win by nearly 14 points. The differing outcomes of the three primary races reflect the varying challenges and factors faced by progressive lawmakers within the Squad.
Overall, the primary defeats of Reps. Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman following significant special interest spending by groups like AIPAC highlight the challenges faced by progressive lawmakers within the Squad. While the losses raise questions about voter support for progressive policies, factors such as redistricting, campaign ads, and personal scandals also played a role in the outcomes of the primary races. The varying challenges and outcomes in these races showcase the complexities of progressive politics and the influence of special interest groups in shaping electoral outcomes. As the Squad prepares to shrink next year, the remaining members will likely face continued scrutiny and challenges in advancing their progressive agenda within the Democratic Party.
