Ayanna Pressley condemns ‘dark money’ in politics after Bowman primary defeat – Washington Examiner
Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) labeled “special interests” groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee as a “threat to democracy.” This remark followed the electoral defeat of Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) by his primary opponent, George Latimer, which occurred on a Tuesday. It appears there is a contention that certain lobbying groups, like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), are influencing political outcomes to a degree that some politicians, such as Representative Ayanna Pressley, view as outsize or potentially damaging to democratic processes. This view likely stems from the broader debate about the role of money and lobby groups in U.S. politics, where large amounts of funding and advocacy efforts can significantly impact public policy and election outcomes. Such debates are integral to discussions on transparency and fairness within the democratic system.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) called “special interests” such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee a “threat to democracy” after Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) was defeated by his primary opponent, George Latimer, on Tuesday.
“This unprecedented sum of money, $20 million … we can not allow special interests, dark money, super PACs to buy congressional seats,” Pressley said while speaking with Joy Reid on MSNBC.
Bowman lost his reelection bid on Tuesday to Latimer, who received heavy financial backing from AIPAC, a pro-Israel super PAC. It was the most expensive House race in the nation’s history, with AIPAC donating more than $14 million alone to Latimer’s campaign.
It has been an honor to serve alongside @JamaalBowmanNY in Congress.
His voice and perspective will be missed in our caucus.
Allowing special interests to buy elections is a threat to our democracy and we must get dark money out of our politics. pic.twitter.com/pPDZ21Rw0r
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) June 27, 2024
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Bowman and other members of the progressive “Squad” have been targeted by AIPAC this election cycle for their criticism of Israel. At first, Bowman tried to distance himself from the anti-Israel rhetoric, but he eventually criticized the Jewish state for its military campaign in Gaza, earning the ire of AIPAC and other groups.
With Bowman ousted from his seat, other House progressives have lost a key ally. Rep. Cori Bush’s (D-MO) race has also been selected by pro-Israel groups such as AIPAC as an opportunity to oust the Democrat.
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