A pro-Israel organization known for its significant financial contributions is entering three contentious House Democratic primary races.
The Democratic Majority for Israel PAC has announced its support for nine House Democratic candidates, with a particular focus on three candidates competing in highly competitive primary races in California, Oregon, and Virginia. POLITICO was the first to report these endorsements.
DMFI, alongside the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), is among a group of pro-Israel organizations that have become significant political influencers in recent times. Their focus has been on impacting Democratic primaries to shape the Democratic caucus. In the year 2022, DMFI allocated over $3.6 million towards television, radio, and digital advertisements across more than twelve House races.
With the Israel-Hamas conflict, the importance of the issue has heightened for both donors and voters.
In California, DMFI supports Joanna Weiss, a political activist engaged in a highly contentious campaign against state Sen. Dave Min. They are vying to succeed Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.), who is running for the Senate. The United Democracy Project, the super PAC affiliated with AIPAC, has already invested $500,000 in TV advertisements in the district to bolster Weiss.
DMFI is providing support to state Rep. Janelle Bynum in Oregon, as she seeks re-election against Jamie McLeod-Skinner. McLeod-Skinner, who narrowly lost to now-Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer in 2022, has managed to outpace Bynum in fundraising during the last quarter, according to Federal Elections Commission filings. Despite this, Bynum has already secured endorsements from other prominent Democratic groups, including EMILY’s List.
In Virginia, DMFI is entering a competitive primary race with more than a dozen Democrats seeking to succeed Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.), who is stepping down due to a chronic health condition. The organization is throwing its support behind former Virginia state House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn. Notable contenders in the race include state Dels. Dan Helmer and Suhas Subramanyam, state Sen. Jennifer Boysko, and former Department of Defense official Krystle Kaul.
DMFI’s endorsement has also been extended to several other House candidates. Among them is Luz Rivas, a California state assemblywoman who is vying to replace retiring Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.). Another candidate is Will Rollins, a California assemblyman challenging Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.). Monica Tranel, a former Olympian, is running against Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), while Michelle Vallejo, a businesswoman, aims to unseat Rep. Monica de la Cruz (R-Texas). Nebraska state Sen. Tony Vargas is also in the running against Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.). Additionally, Adam Frisch, who previously ran against Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) in 2022, is now pursuing the open seat following Boebert’s district move.
Mark Mellman, the president of DMFI PAC, emphasized the importance of Democrats regaining control of the House of Representatives in order to secure the future of democracy. He expressed excitement in supporting a group of dedicated public servants who will play a crucial role in achieving this objective.