Congratulations AIPAC, You Played Yourself! In the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, Tom Malinowski conceded to progressive Analilia Mejia, blaming the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) for pouring $2.3 million into negative ads against him. Despite AIPAC’s efforts to portray Malinowski as not progressive enough, voters chose Mejia, a candidate with more critical stances on Israel and who advocates for policies like abolishing ICE and Medicare for All. This outcome is contrasted with AIPAC’s success in defeating other progressive legislators in 2024.

• Analilia Mejia secured the Democratic nomination for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District.
• Tom Malinowski conceded the race, attributing his defeat to negative ad campaigns funded by AIPAC.
• The ads targeted Malinowski for not being progressive enough, particularly his vote on a bill increasing ICE funding.
• Mejia, a national political director for Bernie Sanders’ 2020 campaign, holds more progressive views and has been critical of Israel.
• AIPAC also spent significantly in other races, successfully defeating progressive legislators Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush, but failed to beat Dave Min in California.
• The article criticizes AIPAC’s strategy, suggesting their actions led to an unintended negative outcome for them.
• Mejia will face Republican Joe Hathaway in a special general election.