Midterms 2026
Illinois Results: Daniel Biss Beats Kat Abughazaleh in Blow to Left and AIPAC Alike
Pro-Israel, AI, and crypto groups saw mixed results across Illinois as outside interests sought to snatch up open seats that favor Democrats.
Akela Lacy
Akela Lacy is a Senior Politics Reporter at The Intercept and co-host of The Intercept Briefing podcast. She was previously The Intercept’s inaugural Ady Barkan Reporting Fellow; prior to that, she was a Politics Fellow in the D.C. Bureau.
She has also worked at Politico, covering breaking news and immigration. She produced Politico’s flagship newsletter, Playbook, and co-authored the afternoon newsletter, Playbook PM. Prior to that, Lacy worked in international reporting at the Pulitzer Center. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a B.A. in sociology and Italian. She is based in New York.
She has also worked at Politico, covering breaking news and immigration. She produced Politico’s flagship newsletter, Playbook, and co-authored the afternoon newsletter, Playbook PM. Prior to that, Lacy worked in international reporting at the Pulitzer Center. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a B.A. in sociology and Italian. She is based in New York.
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Midterms 2026
AIPAC Is Staying Out of Illinois Senate Race — But Its Donors Back Juliana Stratton
AIPAC is spending big in Tuesday’s Illinois House primaries. In the Senate race, its donors quietly lined up behind the lieutenant governor.
Israel’s War on Gaza
Trump’s Iran War Is Dividing Republicans. Pro-Palestine Groups Want Democrats to Exploit the Rifts.
A pro-Palestine group launched the first of $2 million in ad buys aiming to exploit Republican rifts over Israel. They hope Democrats will take note.
Midterms 2026
Will James Talarico Really Fight for Justice in Texas?
The Senate primary between Talarico and Rep. Jasmine Crockett emphasized style over substance. Now local organizers want concrete promises.
Midterms 2026
Philadelphia Could Elect Its First Muslim Congressman. He’s Not Sure Where He Stands on Israel.
Sharif Street states no Israel policy on his website and was briefly the beneficiary of a pro-Israel fundraising page. He's trying to walk a fine line in a crowded primary.
Midterms 2026
Jasmine Crockett Swears Off Corporate Cash — But Transferred Thousands From Her House Campaign
A Democrat running for Senate in Texas has a complicated history with corporate America and the crypto industry.
Midterms 2026
AIPAC Is Flooding Illinois With Cash. Pro-Palestine Groups Are Backing Kat Abughazaleh.
The pro-Israel lobby has made Illinois a top target. Justice Democrats and the newly launched PAL PAC are trying to counter their influence.
Midterms 2026
AIPAC Strategy Backfires as Progressive Underdog Wins Key House Race in New Jersey
“AIPAC’s spending and support for candidates is becoming a kiss of death in Democratic primaries.”
Midterms 2026
NY Democratic House Candidate Works for Palantir Partners Pushing AI Border Surveillance
A former Biden national security adviser hoping to unseat Mike Lawler consults for two defense tech firms that work with Palantir.
Midterms 2026
AIPAC Donors Fail to Elect Last-Minute New Jersey House Pick
New Jersey’s special election is a toss-up between a progressive and a moderate who violated the AIPAC party line — while the Israel lobby’s candidate trails in a distant third.