Summary
In a New Jersey primary race for the U.S. House of Representatives, progressive candidate Analilia Mejia defeated moderate Democrat Tom Malinowski. The race drew attention because the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) opposed Malinowski, which some see as a strategy that may have backfired.
Key Facts
- Tom Malinowski, a moderate Democrat, lost to Analilia Mejia in a New Jersey primary.
- Malinowski received criticism from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) for suggesting the U.S. should add conditions to its aid to Israel.
- The United Democracy Project, linked to AIPAC, spent heavily on attack ads against Malinowski.
- Malinowski previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023.
- Mejia is a former official for Senator Bernie Sanders and was the only candidate in the race to call Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide.
- AIPAC's actions have drawn criticism from both progressive and moderate Democrats.
- Malinowski announced his loss five days after the primary as votes were finalized.
- Mejia will compete against two Republicans in a special election for a heavily Democratic district.
