AIPAC ends direct contributions to US congressional candidates, keeps super PAC

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee has told members it will stop endorsing US congressional candidates, making direct PAC contributions or earmarking funds — ending a practice it began five years ago.

The move came in a board letter on Wednesday, first reported by Jewish Insider and signed by president Bernie Kaminetsky, per NPR. “Endorsements, direct PAC contributions, and earmarking will no longer be part of our approach,” the letter said, as reported by the Washington Sun.

AIPAC keeps its United Democracy Project (UDP) super PAC, which can spend unlimited sums in congressional races but cannot coordinate directly with candidates, the Times of Israel reported. UDP spent over $83 million this election cycle — seventh among US super PACs.

The retreat follows mounting resistance — criticism over the Gaza and Iran wars, with some endorsed candidates facing opposition or refusing AIPAC money, NPR reported.

Growing partisan polarisation over Israel has left the AIPAC brand toxic in Democratic circles, the Times of Israel said; Senator Cory Booker will no longer take donations from outside groups like AIPAC.

AIPAC spent over $91 million this year between its PAC and UDP, per the Washington Sun; the PAC could give up to $5,000 per candidate under FEC rules. The group will instead “prioritize increasing direct, organized contributions from individual Americans to candidates” — its pre-2021 model — warning the 2028 cycle will “demand an even stronger commitment by our activists to pro-Israel politics.” Deryn Sousa told NPR the mission and strategy remain the same.