2026 AIPAC
Election Tracker
Every race. Every shell PAC. Every dollar. AIPAC's super PAC entered 2026 with a $96M war chest and a mandate to punish any Democrat who questions unconditional military aid to Israel.
Sources: FEC filings, OpenSecrets, The Intercept | Updated as races unfold
Decided Races
How the Shell PAC System Works
AIPAC's super PAC, United Democracy Project (UDP), does not spend money under its own name in most races. Instead, it creates new political action committees — shell PACs — with innocuous names that give no indication of who is actually funding them or why.
In the March 2026 Illinois primaries, UDP deployed at least three shell PACs: “Elect Chicago Women,” “Affordable Chicago Now!,” and “Chicago Progressive Partnership.” These PACs were registered with the FEC weeks before the election and spent a combined $22M+ across four races. The ads focused exclusively on local issues — housing, healthcare, constituent services — never mentioning Israel, foreign policy, or the actual reason AIPAC was spending the money.
This strategy serves a dual purpose: it prevents voters from knowing that a foreign policy lobby is funding the ads they see, and it insulates AIPAC-backed candidates from the political liability of being publicly associated with the lobby. The shell PAC system is legal under current campaign finance law, but it represents one of the most sophisticated voter deception operations in American politics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are AIPAC shell PACs?
Shell PACs are political action committees created by AIPAC's super PAC, United Democracy Project (UDP), with names that obscure any connection to Israel or AIPAC. Names like 'Elect Chicago Women' or 'Affordable Chicago Now!' are designed to hide the lobby's involvement from voters. These PACs are registered with the FEC weeks before an election, spend millions on ads about local issues, and never mention Israel or foreign policy.
How much has AIPAC spent on 2026 elections?
AIPAC, primarily through its super PAC United Democracy Project, has spent over $22 million on the March 2026 Illinois primaries alone. UDP ended 2025 with $96 million in its war chest. Total 2026 cycle spending is expected to exceed $100 million as more primaries approach.
Did AIPAC win all the 2026 races it targeted?
No. AIPAC went 2-for-4 in the March 2026 Illinois primaries, winning in IL-07 and IL-02 but losing in IL-08 and IL-09. The losses demonstrated that AIPAC's money, while formidable, can be overcome by organized grassroots campaigns and counter-spending.
What is the counter-PAC fighting AIPAC?
A progressive counter-PAC launched in early 2026 with $10 million specifically to fight AIPAC's influence in Democratic primaries. The PAC invested heavily in the Illinois races, spending $3 million in IL-09 alone, contributing to two of AIPAC's four losses.
What was the DNC resolution on AIPAC?
On March 27, 2026, the Democratic National Committee passed a resolution calling on Democratic candidates to reject AIPAC funding. The resolution cited concerns about foreign policy lobbying in domestic primaries and named Charles Booker's Kentucky Senate campaign as a model for grassroots-funded candidates.