Democrat running for Senate accuses pro-Israel donor of offering $20M to challenge Rashida Tlaib
Democratic Senate Candidate Accuses Pro-Israel PAC Donor of Offering $20 Million to Drop Out of Race
Democratic Senate candidate Hill Harper has made a shocking accusation against a Michigan businessman with ties to a prominent pro-Israel political action committee (PAC). Harper claims that the businessman, Linden Nelson, offered him a staggering $20 million to abandon his Senate race and instead challenge Representative Rashida Tlaib in her primary.
Harper took to social media to confirm reports of the offer, which allegedly took place in mid-October. According to Harper, Nelson proposed splitting the funds, with $10 million going directly to Harper’s campaign and another $10 million for independent expenditures.
“I didn’t intend for a private phone call to turn public,” Harper wrote on social media. “But now that it has, here’s the truth. One of AIPAC’s biggest donors offered $20m if I dropped out of the U.S. Senate race to run against @RashidaTlaib.”
“I said no,” Harper, a progressive Democrat, added defiantly. “I won’t be bossed, bullied, or bought.”
Nelson, an entrepreneur from Michigan, has donated to candidates from both major parties and has longstanding connections to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). He has also contributed to a group aiming to unseat Tlaib, a vocal critic of Israel’s military response to the recent Hamas attack on October 7.
Efforts to reach Nelson for comment have been unsuccessful, according to the Washington Examiner.
Harper, known for his acting role on ABC’s The Good Doctor, recently announced his departure from the show to focus on his campaign. He is running to the left of Representative Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA agent who has successfully held onto her swing district in the House for three consecutive cycles and has an impressive fundraising network.
As the allegations against Nelson surface, Tlaib’s spokesperson has not responded to requests for comment. This incident comes at a time when several progressive colleagues of Tlaib are facing primary challenges due to their stance on Israel. AIPAC has plans to spend $100 million targeting anti-Israel members in upcoming primaries.
Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, has been leading efforts on Capitol Hill to pressure the Biden administration and fellow party members to support a ceasefire. However, she has faced criticism for her rhetoric, including her use of the controversial phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” This phrase refers to the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, which is currently divided between Israeli and Palestinian territories. Israelis interpret it as a call for their eradication, despite public pleas for Tlaib to stop using it.
The events surrounding the October 7 attack and Israel’s response have exposed internal divisions within the Democratic Party. Recently, 22 Democrats joined almost all Republicans in voting to censure Tlaib on the House floor for “promoting false narratives” about the attack and allegedly advocating for the “destruction of the state of Israel.”
Click here to read more from the Washington Examiner.
How does AIPAC’s statement denying any involvement in the alleged offer affect the perception of their influence in American politics?
Anti-Israel members of Congress. However, Nelson vehemently denies Harper’s allegations, calling them “baseless and completely false.”
In response to the accusation, AIPAC issued a statement distancing itself from any involvement in the alleged offer. ”AIPAC does not endorse candidates or fund campaigns,” the statement read. “We are a nonpartisan organization that advocates for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. Any claims suggesting otherwise are simply not true.”
The controversy surrounding this accusation has ignited a heated debate within the Democratic party. Some argue that Harper’s claims highlight the influence of big donors in shaping political races, while others question the timing of the accusation, as it comes just weeks before the primary election.
Representative Tlaib, whose primary Harper was allegedly urged to contest, has also weighed in on the matter. “I have spoken to Hill Harper, and while I appreciate his integrity in refusing the offer, I am disappointed to learn that such tactics are being employed to undermine my re-election campaign,” she said in a statement. “It is crucial that we focus on the issues that matter to our constituents and not engage in divisive and baseless attacks.”
Harper’s decision to go public with this accusation raises questions about the ethics of campaign funding and highlights the need for transparency in political donations. In recent years, there has been growing concern about the role of money in politics and the potential influence it wields over candidates and their policies.
This incident also underscores the divisive nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within American politics. Supporters of Israel argue that groups like AIPAC are essential in ensuring strong U.S.-Israel relations, while critics argue that they exert undue influence on American foreign policy.
As the election approaches, it remains to be seen how this controversy will impact Harper’s campaign and the larger political landscape. Regardless of the outcome, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of campaign finance reform and the need to address the influence of big donors in our democratic process.
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