Sanders urges Democrats to bar super PACs from primaries, targets AIPAC spending
Senator Bernie Sanders called on Democratic leaders to prohibit super PACs in party primaries, accusing AIPAC of massive spending to sway races.
Senator Bernie Sanders appealed to Democratic leadership to prohibit super PACs from taking part in party primaries, condemning the influence of wealthy outside groups. He specifically criticized the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, noting its expenditure of more than $30 million in Michigan’s Democratic primary to defeat Dr. Abdul El-Sayed and its plan to spend tens of millions for Republican Mike Rogers in the general election.
Sanders added that corporate-funded super PACs have already broken spending records with $517 million this election cycle. He argued that such groups manipulate Democratic nominations while lacking any interest in Democratic victories, supporting Republicans when their preferred Democrat loses. The senator also called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and for public financing of elections, citing the Abolish Super PACs Act he introduced with Rep. Summer Lee.
AIPAC defended its role as a bipartisan, grassroots organization supporting pro-Israel candidates. Comments from AIPAC, Sanders, Schumer, Jeffries, Martin and Rogers were not immediately obtained.
Why it matters
The push to bar super PACs could reshape how Democratic candidates are selected and funded.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTBoth camps report Sanders urging a ban on super PACs, but right-leaning coverage highlights AIPAC's spending while left-leaning coverage does not.
LEFT
Frames Sanders’ appeal as a fight against corrupting influence of super PACs on Democratic primaries.
RIGHT
Frames Sanders’ appeal as a condemnation of wealthy outside groups, spotlighting AIPAC’s spending as a key example.
The left emphasises
- super PACs create a corrupt primary system
- $517 million raised by super PACs in the current cycle
- Republican-aligned interests spend tens of millions to pick Democratic nominees
The right emphasises
- condemning the influence of wealthy outside groups
- AIPAC spent more than $30 million in Michigan’s Democratic primary
- $517 million spending record for corporate-funded super PACs
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