Super Pacs tied to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac) have deployed substantial funding in a California congressional race, backing moderate Democrat Melissa Hernandez against progressive state senator Aisha Wahab in the contest for a seat in the East Bay district.
Wahab, who holds the endorsement of the California Democratic Party, has led in both a June primary and a special election held earlier this cycle, winning by margins exceeding 20 points over Hernandez, a former Dublin mayor. The two candidates are scheduled to compete in a runoff election later in the month followed by a general election in November. According to reporting from Politico, outside groups have invested more than $5 million in recent weeks, with spending directed toward ads supporting Hernandez and attacking Wahab.
The funding comes from the United Democracy Project, which tracks indicate has received backing from Aipac and has spent $1.2 million in the race, and Bold America Pac, which has deployed $2.1 million and received substantial support from the United Democracy Project. Track Aipac, an organization that monitors the pro-Israel lobby’s political activities, reported that Aipac has spent more than $4.4 million to support Hernandez’s candidacy.
Aipac, described as one of the largest Super Pacs and the most influential pro-Israel advocacy organization operating in the United States, has substantially increased its political spending in recent years. According to the New York Times, the organization has doubled its spending to $67.2 million, with a significant portion directed toward Democratic primary contests. The group previously deployed millions to support moderate Democrat Haley Stevens in Michigan’s Senate primary, though progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed ultimately prevailed in that race, which observers characterized as a significant moment for the party.
Wahab has addressed the advertising campaign against her, calling on voters to ask her directly about her record and criticizing Hernandez for declining debate invitations while what she characterized as relying on outside funding. “We’re not going to let this race be bought by outside interests,” Wahab stated in a social media video.
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