Senator Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, is advocating for Democratic leaders to limit the involvement of super PACs in party primaries. He argues that wealthy external groups exert excessive influence over Democratic nominations. In a post on X, Sanders specifically criticized the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) for its spending in Democratic primaries.
Sanders stated, "It is insane that the Democrats allow super PACs like AIPAC to spend millions in their primaries — only for those same special interests to help elect Republicans in the general election." He urged Democratic leaders to take immediate action to ban super PACs from the primaries.
In a letter addressed to Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin, Sanders highlighted that AIPAC and related groups spent over $30 million in Michigan’s Democratic primary to defeat Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. He noted that AIPAC plans to invest tens of millions more to support Republican Mike Rogers in the general election.
Sanders also pointed out that corporate super PACs, including those representing interests in crypto, AI, and online betting, have spent a record $517 million in this election cycle. He criticized the influence of these groups, stating that they often support Republican candidates if their preferred Democratic candidate does not win.
He further emphasized the need for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and for public financing of elections. Sanders stated, "Right now, the Democratic Party has the power to prohibit super PACs from participating in its primaries. That can be done. That must be done."
In May, Sanders and Representative Summer Lee introduced the Abolish Super PACs Act, which aims to cap individual contributions to super PACs at $5,000 and effectively eliminate them. AIPAC has stated that it supports pro-Israel candidates from both parties and is funded by individual American citizens who wish to strengthen U.S.-Israel relations.