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Chicago’s State Rep. LaShawn Ford emerged victorious Tuesday in a crowded 13-way Democratic primary for a House seat representing parts of the city’s South Side and western suburbs, overcoming millions in outside spending from pro-Israel groups that had backed his main rival.
The contest has drawn national attention as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and its affiliates invested more than $5 million to support Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, who ultimately fell short despite the massive financial backing. The race represents a notable setback for AIPAC, which has become increasingly active in Democratic primaries nationwide.
Ford, who secured the endorsement of retiring Rep. Danny Davis, withstood a barrage of attack ads funded primarily by AIPAC and cryptocurrency industry interests. Davis has represented the predominantly Democratic district for nearly three decades.
Conyears-Ervin’s campaign drew support from multiple powerful entities beyond AIPAC, including Chicago’s influential teachers’ unions and cryptocurrency industry groups. This marked her second unsuccessful attempt to secure the seat, following a 2024 primary challenge against Davis that was hampered by ethics concerns.
Her previous campaign had been clouded by allegations of misusing city funds for personal purposes and retaliating against whistleblowers. These charges were resolved in 2025 when she paid a $30,000 fine to a city ethics panel.
The primary featured several other notable candidates who divided the electorate. Jason Friedman, a real estate developer and philanthropist who led the field in fundraising, failed to gain significant traction after facing attack ads from AIPAC’s super PAC. Meanwhile, progressive activist Kina Collins and other left-wing candidates split the party’s progressive vote.
Ford’s Republican opponent in the general election faces an uphill battle in this heavily Democratic district, where former Vice President Kamala Harris captured more than 80% of the vote in 2024. The district’s population is predominantly Black American.
This primary represents part of a broader pattern of mixed results for AIPAC in the 2026 election cycle. In February, the organization successfully blocked former Rep. Tom Malinowski’s comeback attempt in a New Jersey special election, only to see an even more Israel-critical candidate, Analilia Mejia, narrowly secure the Democratic nomination instead. Mejia, endorsed by progressive figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is favored to win the general election in the Democratic-leaning district.
AIPAC has also invested heavily in other Illinois primary contests to oppose Democratic candidates critical of Israel, including media personality Kat Abughzaleh, as the organization continues its strategy of intervening in Democratic primaries nationwide.
Conyears-Ervin has served as Chicago’s city treasurer since 2019 after a single term in the state legislature. Her tenure as treasurer has coincided with significant fiscal challenges for Chicago, including credit rating downgrades from two agencies in February due to the city’s substantial budget deficits.
The primary outcome highlights the complex dynamics within the Democratic Party regarding Israel policy and demonstrates the limitations of outside spending in overcoming local political networks and endorsements. Ford’s victory, built on Rep. Davis’s endorsement and local support, suggests that established political relationships still carry significant weight in Chicago’s political landscape despite the influx of outside money.
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13 Comments
Fascinating to see a local race with such high-profile national involvement and spending. It will be interesting to see how this impacts AIPAC’s strategy going forward in Democratic primaries.
This result shows that even massive outside spending doesn’t always guarantee victory. Voters can still make their own choices.
While AIPAC’s investment in this race didn’t pay off, it shows their willingness to flex their financial muscle in Democratic contests. The implications for the party’s future direction are worth pondering.
It’s heartening to see a candidate like Ford prevail despite the financial advantages of his opponent. This could embolden other grassroots challengers to take on well-funded establishment figures.
The involvement of the crypto industry in this race adds an intriguing layer of complexity. I wonder how their interests intersected with AIPAC’s in supporting Conyears-Ervin.
The involvement of groups like AIPAC in this race raises questions about the role of foreign policy interests in shaping domestic US politics. Voters will have to weigh these factors carefully.
It’s concerning to see so much outside money flowing into a local primary race. Maintaining grassroots accountability in the political process is crucial.
This race highlights the increasing polarization and outside influence in local Democratic primaries. It will be worth watching how this shapes the political landscape going forward.
This race is a prime example of the growing influence of special interests and deep-pocketed donors in Democratic primaries. Voters will have to be vigilant to ensure their voices are heard.
The crypto industry getting involved in this race is noteworthy. I wonder how their interests aligned with AIPAC’s in supporting Conyears-Ervin. Curious to learn more about the dynamics at play.
It’s good to see an underdog like Ford prevail, despite the financial firepower of his opponents. Grassroots support can still triumph over big money in some cases.
This race highlights the ongoing tension between the Democratic establishment and more progressive, grassroots-oriented factions within the party. It will be illuminating to see how this plays out in future primaries.
Ford’s victory is a testament to the power of local support and campaigning, even in the face of massive outside spending. It’s a reminder that voters can still make their own choices.