Freshman CBC member Congresswoman Summer Lee wins big after being targeted by AIPAC

Representative Summer Lee (D-PA). Official photo U.S. House of Representatives. by Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA), who was formally targeted for defeat by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) won her primary challenge on April 23. Rep. Lee won easily over a primary candidate recruited by AIPAC, 61 percent to 31 percent. On the last weekend of the primary campaign, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez campaigned alongside Lee. Along with the NRA and Planned Parenthood, AIPAC is one of the most powerful and influential lobbying groups in U.S. politics. Back in September 2023, it was revealed that AIPAC was recruiting candidates to primary Black members of Congress who spoke out in support of stipulations on U.S. aid to Israel. Israel receives over $3.3 billion annually from the U.S. AIPAC has many Republican donors but the group has also funded members of the CBC. The list includes Maryland Rep.& Rep. Glenn Ivey, House Democratic Caucus Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Rep. Valerie Foushee of North Carolina, Ohio Rep. Shontel Brown, and New York Rep. Rep. Ritchie Torres. Though Torres’ Bronx New York district is 54 percent Hispanic and 30 percent Black, with an average household income...