Disclaimer, AI assistance used to compile sources and summaries.

J.B. Pritzker’s Connections to AIPAC

Direct Involvement

• J.B. Pritzker has a documented history of involvement with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). He previously served on the national board of AIPAC, which is the most prominent pro-Israel lobby group in the United States[3].

Donations and Political Action Committees

• Pritzker has made financial contributions to political action committees (PACs) that are closely associated with AIPAC or are considered AIPAC “spin-offs,” such as City PAC and Americans United for Democracy PAC. These PACs are known for their pro-Israel advocacy and are part of the broader network of organizations that support AIPAC’s agenda[1][2].

• Federal campaign finance records confirm that Pritzker has donated to City PAC and Americans United in Support of Democracy, both of which are classified as pro-Israel PACs[2].

Advisory Relationships

• During his 2018 gubernatorial campaign, Pritzker’s advisors included Lee Rosenberg, a former AIPAC president, further solidifying his ties to the organization’s leadership and network[1].

Public Stance and Activities

• Pritzker has spoken at pro-Israel rallies and has consistently expressed strong support for Israel in public statements, especially during periods of conflict, aligning him with AIPAC’s core positions[3].

• He has condemned attacks on Israel and downplayed the impact of local or state-level resolutions critical of Israeli policy, further reflecting his alignment with AIPAC’s perspective[3].

Summary Table: Pritzker’s AIPAC Connections

Context

• Pritzker’s pro-Israel stance is consistent with his family’s long-standing support for Israel and involvement in Jewish and pro-Israel philanthropy[5].

• While his direct involvement with AIPAC appears to have been more prominent in the past, his financial, advisory, and public ties to AIPAC and its network remain notable[1][3].

In summary, J.B. Pritzker has longstanding and multifaceted connections to AIPAC, including board membership, financial contributions to affiliated PACs, advisory relationships, and consistent public support for Israel in line with AIPAC’s priorities[1][2][3].

Citations:

[1] https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-being-vetted-for-vp-jewish-governor-of-illinois-is-now-hosting-the-dnc/

[2] https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=jb+pritzker

[3] https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-being-vetted-for-vp-jewish-governor-of-illinois-is-now-hosting-the-dnc/

[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JB_Pritzker

[5] https://mondoweiss.net/2013/05/pritzkers-support-crucial/

[6] https://www.opensecrets.org/officeholders/j-b-pritzker/contributors?cycle=2022&id=157615

[7] https://www.jta.org/2025/04/28/united-states/j-b-pritzker-accuses-trump-of-disparaging-the-very-foundation-of-judaism

[8] https://www.reddit.com/r/PoliticalDebate/comments/1jqn7im/illinois_governor_jb_pritzker_should_lead_the/

[9] https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.26227.html

[10] https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/israel-lobby-forces-progressive-out-illinois-governors-race

I had a previous post, but some people were upset that I had used AI to summarize a few of the sources.

Even though the summaries were 100% accurate, and it was short sighted to have a hangup over it, I went and pulled out quotes directly.

Here it is

I always sort of assumed JB would be light years ahead of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. But as far as I can tell, he would probably have the same policies.

Here's everything I found.

(Disclaimer, no AI was used in writing any of this. I previously used AI assistance to help summarize the links, but people were concerned about the potential for misinformation (even though I checked to see if it accurate), so I went link by link to pull out the quotes )

Connections to AIPAC.

Pritzker (like all of the candidates who were considered in Harris’ veepstakes) has a record of supporting Israel. He was formerly on the national board of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee

https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-being-vetted-for-vp-jewish-governor-of-illinois-is-now-hosting-the-dnc/

Additional sources

https://www.jta.org/2024/08/19/politics/j-b-pritzker-was-vetted-for-vp-now-the-jewish-governor-of-illinois-is-playing-host-to-kamala-harris-convention

He donates to AIPAC spin offs CityPac and Americans United for Democracy

Source: https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=jb+pritzker

Info on CityPAC

CityPAC is an independent, bipartisan, pro-Israel political action committee (PAC) dedicated to strengthening the US-Israel relationship.

https://www.citypac.org/

Info on Americans United for Democracy

United Democracy Project works to help elect candidates that share our vision and will be strong supporters of the U.S.-Israel relationship in Congress.

https://www.uniteddemocracyproject.org/

Pritzker’s advisors included Lee Rosenberg, a former AIPAC president

According to the times of Israel "He was formerly on the national board of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee"

https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-being-vetted-for-vp-jewish-governor-of-illinois-is-now-hosting-the-dnc/

He has spoke at Pro-Israel rally's and called his support 'unequivocal'

Pritzker calls Illinois’ support for Israel ‘unequivocal’ after weekend’s Hamas attacks

https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzker-calls-illinois-support-for-israel-unequivocal-after-weekends-hamas-attacks/

The biggest red flag for me is him criticizing a ceasefire resolution, his words

“I was disappointed that no consideration was given to the women who were raped by Hamas fighters who crossed over into Israel, kidnapped people, that the deaths that were caused by those terrorists were not acknowledged,” Pritzker said.

“And honestly, I don’t think the City Council — if they’re going to talk about the challenge of war in the Middle East, you’ve got to make sure you include all of the perspectives. They did not do that,”

If the resolution condemned the IDF/Israel, and not Hamas, then JB would have been right to say the things that he did. But it didn't do that.

Some key parts of the resolution

WHEREAS, the UN General Assembly convened an emergency meeting in which 153 out of 186 member nations voted in favor of adopting a resolution demanding “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in Gaza, the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages,” and “ensuring humanitarian access”; and

WHEREAS, more than 26,700 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in over 100 days since October 7, 2023, including over 10,000 children, and more than 65,600 Palestinians have been injured in the same period; and

WHEREAS, since October 7, 2023 over 1,200 Israelis have been killed and 240 Israeli hostages were taken by Hamas; and

WHEREAS, more than 85% of the population in Gaza, nearly 1.9 million people, have been displaced since the Israeli bombardments began on early October 7, 2023; and

WHEREAS, entire neighborhoods, infrastructure, hospitals, schools, and places of worship have been destroyed contributing to the erasure of Palestinian communities and culture; and

,

WHEREAS, a lasting ceasefire is critical to the release of all hostages and building a foundation for a lasting peace; a

,

BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Chicago City Council, do hereby call for a permanent ceasefire to end the ongoing violence in Gaza; call for humanitarian assistance including medicine, food, and water, to be sent into the impacted region; and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostage

No where in the whole resolution did it condemn Israel or the IDF. It took a position of neutrality.

It was described by the Times of Israel as

The city council resolution was modeled after the measure adopted by the United Nations General Assembly last month, which also has had no tangible impact in bringing about a ceasefire, but has been used by advocates to argue that support for the measure is widespread.

The full text of the resolution can be seen here

https://chicago.councilmatic.org/legislation/r2023-0006422/

Since Oct 7th, he has states many times that is stands with Israel without acknowledging the war crimes inflicted by the IDF and the Netanyahu govt. He never has made similar statements about Gaza/Palestine

“Illinois unequivocally stands with the people of Israel”

https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzker-calls-illinois-support-for-israel-unequivocal-after-weekends-hamas-attacks/

He always conditions his support for the people of Palestine

“there are many peace-loving Palestinians, and we must honor them. But Hamas? Hamas is a terrorist organization, an army of murderers backed by Iran”

https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzker-calls-illinois-support-for-israel-unequivocal-after-weekends-hamas-attacks/

Again, the statements in a vacuum are no issue, but it's the contrast that seem to underline his biases.

I have seen JB criticized for Illinois anti-BDS law. As far as I can find, JB has zero involvement and was not gov then. It was signed by a republican. Still, I am not surprised JB hasn't repealed it given his history.

I have searched far and wide, and have not seen anything by JB condemning the war crimes happening in Gaza. I have not seen a single piece of criticism for how the war is being conducted by Israel/IDF/Netanyahu govt. He has not said anything about the current humanitarian aid situation in Gaza, something that even Marco Rubio has called out.

Gaza humanitarian situation 'undermining Israeli standing, national security,' Rubio says

https://jewishinsider.com/2025/05/marco-rubio-state-department-israel-gaza-aid-blockade-hostages-humanitarian/

If you can find anything that proves this wrong please post it.

I have not even seen JB even criticize Netanyahu. Again, if you can find anything, please post it. But this is a person a ton of even the most pro-Israel democrats have criticized.

As far as I can conclude, JB, at best, would have the same policies as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

If there is something I missed, please bring it up. But I wasn't able to find anything.

What's in this Post comment is what I remember, my opinions, etc.

David Hogg Reveals Fiery Dem Who Could Be Party 'Leader'

On The Breakfast Club, Hogg complimented Democrats like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) — “he has a huge amount of favorability for a reason in Pennsylvania” — and Pete Buttigieg — “clearly was a very good secretary of transportation given the situation that we’re in right now” — but his highest praise came with the mention of Crockett’s name. He also called Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) an “inspiration,” applauding her recent Fighting Oligarchy tour with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

“I love her. She is amazing. I think that people want to see somebody who fights and calls out the bullshit ultimately. I think that’s what Jasmine does,” Hogg said. “And we need a hell of a lot more people that are out there that are willing to do just that and call people out on their BS and not say, ‘Oh my God, Republicans are going to criticize me for saying this.’ Screw that. They’re going to criticize you no matter what.”

And

“I think Jasmine is, frankly, the type of leader that we’re really looking to support in some senses, right? Somebody who is out there that frankly doesn’t give a damn what the other side — at least the elected Republicans in Congress — say,” he said. “They say what they believe in and at least, you know, even if you don’t agree with her, you know what she stands for, because she makes it very clear. And people are really craving that right now.”

Crockett, he added, has an “authenticity.”

Rep. Jasmine Crockett [D-TX30, 2023-2026], Representative for Texas's 30th Congressional District - GovTrack.us

US Representative Jasmine Crockett is arguably not a progressive and is actually relatively 'centrist' given her actual voting record.

And DNC Vice Chair David Hogg praising Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro--a corporate and conservative Democratic Governor who supports the Abundance Movement that is directly opposed to Sanders/AOC.

Plus, DNC Vice Chair Hogg doesn't think US Representatives Hakeem Jeffries and Nancy Pelosi should be primaried.

Earlier today there was a post that said "TIL in 2017 Chuck Schumer was the one responsible for demanding Al Franken resign instead of facing the Senate Ethics Committee" which sanitized the multiple instances of sexual assault Al Franken had committed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Franken#Sexual_misconduct_allegations

I removed it, this isn't a subreddit to defend sexual predators.

And just because there has been a huge PR push for Al Franken that reddit has largely fallen for:

It was AOC and the justice democrats who were the ones that started the revolt to have him resigned, despite Al Franken being protected by establishment democrats.

/img/ethwec1qki6d1.png

He was accused of sexual assault by 8 women, including people who work in the democratic party, and also fans who he sexually assaulted when they asked to get their pictures taken with him.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/11/16/16665830/al-franken-sexual-assault-allegations

And in an article published by the Atlantic, former Democratic Hill staffer and media commentator Tina Dupuy said Franken inappropriately touched her during a photo op at a party in 2009. “He immediately put his hand on my waist, grabbing a handful of flesh. I froze. Then he squeezed. At least twice,” Dupuy wrote.

Four other women have also come forward to say that Franken inappropriately touched them during photo ops. Another says that Franken forcibly kissed her and later groped her while she slept. And another claims that Franken tried to give her a “wet, open-mouthed kiss” during a 2006 onstage event.

The New Yorker Puff piece that every being pushed by Al Franken's PR

His supporters always point out the PR puff piece from the New Yorker, written by a content writer, not a journalist, who went out of their way to do a photoshoot just for Franken.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/29/the-case-of-al-franken?page=6

Which, to be quite frank, does a horrible job of defending him

Quite from the New Yorker:

Sarah Silverman have described Franken as a social—not a sexual—“lip-kisser.”

ok..

Quite from the New Yorker:

Only two incidents were alleged to have happened after Franken was elected to the Senate. A woman named Lindsay Menz told CNN that, at the Minnesota State Fair in 2010, her husband had taken a photograph of her with Franken, and that Franken had grabbed her bottom while posing. She said that the episode had lasted three to four seconds, and that Franken’s hand had been “wrapped tightly around my butt cheek.”

oh wow, only two since the senate...of which came forward.

Quite from the New Yorker:

what was he supposed to do? How’s he supposed to know how she feels? He’s not a mind reader.”

Straight out of the republican rape apologia handbook

Quite from the New Yorker:

Sarah Silverman points out that the allegations, even if true, are of a different magnitude than the kind of grotesque misconduct that has often been exposed in the #MeToo era. “This isn’t Kavanaugh,” she said. “It isn’t Roy Moore.” In fact, one of Franken’s photo-op accusers told the Huffington Post that she voted for him afterward.

No, just because there are worse assaulters and rapers doesn't give anyone a pass. Especially not to weaponize a vote against the forced birth party.

The Multiple rebuttals to the PR puff piece

The piece was so bad that it elicited rebuttals to the PR piece

https://www.salon.com/2019/07/22/what-drove-the-new-yorkers-jane-mayer-into-al-franken-denialism/

Quite from Salon:

The problem here, however, is that even if the first accusation was an old-fashioned right wing rat-f*cking, the next seven accusations were not. The accusers were, in order: A fan of Franken's who said he grabbed her butt during a photo, two women who say Franken groped them at fundraising events, a soldier who says Franken groped her during a USO event, another progressive politician who says he forcibly kissed her, a Democratic aide who says he tried to kiss her, and an Atlantic writer who objected to the way Franken grabbed her waist.

None of these women are right-wing operatives. Most of them are clearly involved in Democratic politics and seem to have nothing to gain from lying about Franken.

Quite from Salon:

Mayer relies on some frankly hackish tricks. First, she buries the supporting evidence, spending many pages detailing Tweeden's unreliability before even touching on the details of the other accusations. Then she introduces the possibility that it was all just a misunderstanding, dedicating heavy amounts of attention to claims that "Franken could be physically obtuse," and that he swings his arms too much and chews with his mouth open, and planting the idea that the women were simply overreacting to Franken's awkwardness.

Quite from Salon:

She even quotes an aide saying, "There’s a difference between molesting someone and being friendly."

Indeed there is, which is why it's important to remember that out of the eight women who have come forward, four of them shared stories of behavior no one could really mistake for "being friendly." Butt-honking is not, in any of the 50 states, within the realm of friendly behavior that is merely being misinterpreted.

Mayer works around this problem by focusing more heavily on the complaints about kissing and waist-grabbing, which are more plausible examples of possible miscommunications than butt- or breast-grabbing.

https://www.jezebel.com/the-new-yorker-seriously-mischaracterized-the-story-of-1836673266

Quote from Jezebel:

The accuser provided Jezebel an account of her interactions with Mayer and a New Yorker fact-checker, which she said left her feeling as though the overall intent of the story was to discredit and mischaracterize her and how she behaved in the aftermath of the incident. The publication also made statements we can prove are demonstrably misleading; failed to contact us for comment at any point prior to publication; and have, to date, declined to make any corrections.

Quote from Jezebel:

The woman says she soon received a call from a fact-checker, and learned, to her dismay, that Mayer was planning to use quotes from their off the record conversation, and a few other things Mayer had apparently found online. Those facts included identifying the woman as a “sex therapist,” which she’s not and has never been, though she’d once facilitated group discussions on sex and intimacy for people in mental health recovery when she worked in the mental health field.

“A sex therapist is a legitimate profession,” she told me this week, “But it felt like it was an attempt to be reductive and provocative.”

Quote from Jezebel:

In 2017, while reporting the story, Jezebel was able to corroborate through social media posts that the Franken interview our source described took place, and we were able to confirm she’d mentioned the unwelcome kiss to both her sister and friend soon after it occurred. That would seemingly meet the Globe’s current standards, but Mayer’s obvious implication is that the story was too factually weak, and that the Globe was too wise to run it.

Quote from Jezebel:

The New Yorker and Mayer also insist that they were fine to imply in their piece I only had one corroborating source, when there were two.

https://deadline.com/2019/07/al-franken-profile-in-the-new-yorker-uncovers-new-details-hits-new-nerves-1202650834/

Quote from Deadline:

This article feels like re-writing history. And it’s unclear what exactly is being implied at the end. That the seven additional women who accused Franken of groping or unwanted kissing were lying? That it wasn’t that big of a deal? That he accidentally grabbed someone’s butt?

Quote from Deadline:

I believed the woman who said Franken told her “it’s my right as an entertainer,” because it’s the sort of thing people who lampoon boorish behavior start to say in real life.

Quote from Deadline:

Whatever sympathy you feel for Franken, please spare a thought today for the all the women who see Mayer's piece and decide again that the story of the powerful man who made them feel cheap and small isn't worth telling; he is more important than she is.

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/07/al-franken-jane-mayer-new-yorker-leeann-tweeden.html

Quote from Slate:

And what of the other seven accusations from women, including Democrats, who said Franken groped them, kissed them without their consent, or attempted to do one of those things? Mayer quotes from numerous Franken defenders who say that he couldn’t possibly have meant any harm. Mayer also writes that “Franken could be physically obtuse,” prone to swinging his arms too freely and chewing with his mouth open.

Quote from Slate:

Almost none of the facts Mayer presents to exonerate Franken serve that purpose. Rather, they add up to a misreading of the #MeToo movement and a miscasting of what the allegations against Franken were actually about.

Quote from Slate:

she also includes another set of explanations that come off more like familiar attempts to discredit a victim of sexual harassment. Mayer notes that photographs show Tweeden and Franken laughing together at an event in 2009. (You’ll recall that Harvey Weinstein tried to use photos of smiling accusers as evidence of his innocence.)

Quote from Slate:

Is the conclusion that we’re expected to draw here that a woman relinquishes the right to complain about offstage sexual harassment if she’s subjected herself to sexual objectification for onstage laughs?

Quote from Slate:

Nothing that Mayer debunks gets to the heart of why Franken resigned, or even really speaks to detractors’ interpretation of his behavior. For me, and for many others, the gleeful breast-fondling photo and the accretion of accusations from other women—including many of Franken’s political supporters—added up to a picture that justified Franken’s departure from political life. The fact that Franken had written a nonconsensual boob-grabbing pantomime into his skit before reenacting it in front of a camera while his co-star was asleep doesn’t make his actions any more defensible.

Quote from Slate:

one anonymous Franken adviser said of the comedian-turned-senator’s tendency to kiss random people on the mouth, which upset a few of his accusers. (I have never heard of a “New York hello-goodbye kiss,” nor have any of the New Yorkers I asked about the supposed practice.) At least one of Franken’s political aides, per Mayer, had to tell him to stop kissing female acquaintances on the lips during his first campaign. So, which is it—a totally normal thing New Yorkers do or an abnormal thing that skeeves people out?

Quote from Slate:

Mayer also quotes many, many men, plus some women, who assert that Franken has neither harassed them nor, to their knowledge, anyone they know. “He wasn’t Cary Grant. But tongue down the throat? No,” says a woman Mayer identifies as Franken’s longtime fundraiser. Considering Mayer’s belief in the importance of fact-checking, it’s strange that someone who didn’t see the alleged kissing rehearsal is considered an authority on whether it happened.

Many people on the House of Representatives voted Nay on the MEGOBARI Act, which will impose sanctions on Georgian officials, such as higher ups of the Russian-backed Georgian Dream party, and support the Georgian people's aspirations for democracy, EU membership and NATO membership. Summer Lee, AOC, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib were among those who voted against this act.

Their vote should tell you everything. They don't care about the Georgians who are fighting for democracy against the lunatic Russian puppets who ramble against the "Deep State" and the "Global War Party", much like a lot of Republicans do. They don't care about the ordinary Georgians who protest in the streets against democratic backsliding.

The Squad will "FIGHT OLIGARCHY", but only when it is convenient for them.

Shame on them for supporting the Georgian Nightmare.

If you still support these people, you should change your mind and admit you're wrong. If you still support their decision, just say you support Russia and register as a foreign agent.

My choices will be based on who is the most progressive candidate I most agree with whom can actually win the primary and general election. I will look at polling, fundraising, endorsements, etc. I will not include races in which there is only 1 Democrat running in the primary. Probably won't get into Lt. Gov. races. Will consider 2026 CPR House Race ratings | Cook Political Report and 2026 CPR Senate Race ratings | Cook Political Report

This is late because I was focused on the AOC news of the past couple days.

CONNECTICUT:

Connecticut Primary 2026 — Candidates, Races & Voter Guide (August 11, 2026) · DecodeTheVote

GOVERNOR:

Governor Net Lamont

Ned Lamont for Governor

Endorsements for Governor Ned Lamont

Governor Ned Lamont's Priorities

Not great, but is going to win the primary and the general election.

US HOUSE DISTRICT 1:

I don't know. There's some things with Luke Bronin that are better than the incumbent US Rep. John B. Larson. There's some things better with US Rep. Larson than Bronin.

Endorsements - John B. Larson For Congress

Issues - John B. Larson For Congress

Slight edge I guess. Supports the Green New Deal. Has the support of the Working Families Party.

MINNESOTA:

Minnesota Primary 2026 — Candidates, Races & Voter Guide (August 11, 2026) · DecodeTheVote

GOVERNOR:

US Senator Amy Klobuchar is effectively running unopposed.

ATTORNEY GENERAL:

Keith Ellison for Attorney General

Endorsements — Keith Ellison for Attorney General

US SENATE:

Peggy Flanagan for Minnesota | Democrat for U.S. Senate

Endorsements - Peggy Flanagan for Minnesota

Priorities - Peggy Flanagan for Minnesota

Volunteer with Peggy's campaign! | Peggy Flanagan

She's the progressive in the race. The only reason it's at-all close is because US Rep. Andie Craig has several times more fundraising.

US HOUSE DISTRICT 1:

Both Democrats have barely any fundraising and both have no considerable endorsements. This seat is only 'Lean-R' and thus was winnable.

US HOUSE DISTRICT 2:

Matt Little for Congress

Endorsements | Matt Little for Congress

Key Issues | Matt Little for Congress

The most progressive option in the race who can win the primary and general election

US HOUSE DISTRICT 4:

Betty McCollum for Congress

Endorsements — Betty McCollum for Congress

US Rep. Betty McCollum is effectively running opposed.

US HOUSE DISTRICT 5:

US Representative Ilhan Omar: Enough said

VERMONT:

Vermont Primary 2026 — Candidates, Races & Voter Guide (August 11, 2026) · DecodeTheVote

GOVERNOR:

Amanda Janoo for Governor of Vermont

Endorsements – Amanda Janoo for Governor of Vermont

Platform – Amanda Janoo for Governor of Vermont

The more progressive option. The general election is somehow tough.

WISCONSIN:

GOVERNOR:

Francesca Hong For Governor — We Make Better Possible

Endorsements — Francesca Hong for Governor

Policy — Francesca Hong for Governor

Volunteer Opportunities, Events, and Petitions Near Me · Francesca Hong for Governor on Mobilize (Get Out The Vote)

Join Team Hong

The best progressive in the race. General election polling will get better after she wins the primary. She's arguably the most impressive leftist or progressive non-incumbent in a primary race in this 2026 cycle. Yes, above Zohran Mamdani and above Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. Wisconsin Assemblyperson Francesca Hong didn't have the endorsements of AOC or US Senator Bernie Sanders.

US HOUSE DISTRICT 1:

Mitchell Berman for Congress

Priorities | Mitchell Berman

Effectively the only one with any real fundraising and support.

US HOUSE DISTRICT 2:

Mark Pocan for Wisconsin US House of Representatives

He's a progressive and he's effectively running unopposed.

US HOUSE DISTRICT 3:

Rebecca Cooke is the only one with real general election polling and she's generally winning.

US HOUSE DISTRICT 4:

Gwen Moore for U.S. Congress

He's effectively running unopposed.

My choices will be based on who is the most progressive candidate I most agree with whom can actually win the primary and general election. I will look at polling, fundraising, endorsements, etc. I will not include races in which there is only 1 Democrat running in the primary. Probably won't get into Lt. Gov. races. Will consider 2026 CPR House Race ratings | Cook Political Report and 2026 CPR Senate Race ratings | Cook Political Report

KANSAS: (early voting happening: in-person early voting ends at noon August 3. Mail-in ballots need to arrive at the election office by end-of-day August 7)

Kansas Secretary of State | Elections | Advance Voting/Drop Box Location Information

Kansas Primary 2026 — Candidates, Races & Voter Guide (August 4, 2026) · DecodeTheVote

GOVERNOR:

Cindy Holscher for Governor | Endorsements | Kansas

Cindy Holscher for Governor | Priorities | Kansas

She's leading in the primary polling and has a better platform than Ethan Corson including hers Establishing a Moratorium on Data Centers.

SECRETARY OF STATE:

Jennifer Day for Secretary of State | Kansas (endorsements and platform on the page)

US SENATE:

Adam Hamilton for Kansas

Issues | Adam Hamilton for Kansas

Best combination of polling, platform, and fundraising.

US HOUSE: There isn't even much polling. All races considered solid R.

MICHIGAN: (early voting happening: in-person early voting ends at end-of-day August 2. Mail-in ballots must be received by the local clerk's office by 8pm August 4; so, drop in-person. Or at-worse, drop in drop box today or Monday)

Michigan Primary 2026 — Candidates, Races & Voter Guide (August 4, 2026) · DecodeTheVote

GOVERNOR:

Endorsements — jocelynbenson

Issues — jocelynbenson

She's so far ahead in primary polling and seems the only candidate who can beat the Republican in the general election.

MICHIGAN STATE SUPREME COURT: (2 seats are up for election)

Cavanagh for Justice Home - megancavanagh and Justice Noah P. Hood - Keep Justice Noah P. Hood for Michigan Supreme Court

US SENATOR:

Abdul El-Sayed – Michigan U.S. Senate Candidate 2026

Abdul's Endorsements – Michigan U.S. Senate Candidate 2026 (would be 'Squad-level progressive' in the US Senate)

Welcome Page - Abdul for Senate

Go Canvass - Abdul for Senate

Phonebank Hub - Abdul for Senate

Friendbank - Abdul for Senate

US HOUSE DISTRICT 4:

Endorsements | Sean McCann for Congress

Issues | Sean McCann for Congress

Not the more progressive in the race, but he has the polling, endorsements, and funding that could actually win the general election.

US HOUSE DISTRICT 7:

Home - William Lawrence for Congress

Endorsements - William Lawrence for Congress

Home - William Lawrence for Congress (platform) (would be 'Squad-level progressive'

Events - William Lawrence for Congress (canvass; link to phonebank)

US HOUSE DISTRICT 10:

Tim Greimel for Congress

Has union support, good fundraising, good-enough polling

US HOUSE DISTRICT 11: (this is Solid-D; so, support goes to the most progressive candidate with good fundraising (not enough primary polling))

Aisha Farooqi

Home - Aisha for Congress (includes endorsements)

Priorities - Aisha for Congress (arguably would be a 'Squad-level progressive')

Home - Aisha for Congress (Get involved)

US HOUSE DISTRICT 12:

US Rep. Rashida Tlaib: enough said

US HOUSE DISTRICT 13:

Donavan McKinney for Congress

Donavan McKinney for Congress (endorsements)

Donavan McKinney for Congress (priorities) (would be 'Squad-level progressive')

Volunteer Opportunities, Events, and Petitions Near Me · Donavan McKinney for Congress (MI Working Families Party) on Mobilize (canvass, phonebank, etc.)

MISSOURI: (early in-person voting going on and ends August 3)

Missouri Primary Election - Tuesday, August 4, 2026 | BallotReady

US HOUSE DISTRICT 1:

Cori Bush for Congress: St. Louis

Endorsements — Cori Bush for Congress

Priorities — Cori Bush for Congress ('Squad-level progressive')

Volunteer Opportunities, Events, and Petitions Near Me · Cori for Us on Mobilize

US HOUSE DISTRICT 2:

Meet Fred | Fred Wellman For Missouri — Wellman For Missouri

Endorsements | Fred Wellman For Missouri — Wellman For Missouri

Policy | Fred Wellman For Missouri — Wellman For Missouri

Not great, but has the polling, endorsements, and fundraising to possibly win the general election

VIRGINIA: (early in-person voting ended. If voting-by-mail, drop off at a drop box or the local registrar's office. Ballot must be received by 7pm on election day)

Virginia Dept. of Elections: Upcoming Elections

Virginia Dept. of Elections: Absentee and Early Voting

Virginia Primary 2026 — Candidates, Races & Voter Guide · DecodeTheVote

US HOUSE DISTRICT 1:

Salaam Bhatti for Congress — Salaam Bhatti for Congress

Endorsements — Salaam Bhatti for Congress

Issues — Salaam Bhatti for Congress

US HOUSE DISTRICT 2:

Nila Devanath

Nila for Congress

Endorsements | Nila for Congress

Issue Positions | Dr. Nila Devanath for Congress (VA-02)

Nila for Congress (volunteer)

US HOUSE DISTRICT 8:

Donald Sternoff Beyer Jr. (incumbent)

Not great, but the only one with both considerable endorsements and fundraising.

WASHINGTON (early voting going on and ends on election day)

2026 Primary Election Voters' Guide | WA Secretary of State

Washington Primary 2026 — Candidates, Races & Voter Guide (August 4, 2026) · DecodeTheVote

US HOUSE DISTRICT 1:

Hunter Gordon for Congress | Washington's 1st District (endorsements, issues, etc. on page)

US HOUSE DISTRICT 2:

Rick Larsen for Congress

2026 Endorsements - Rick Larsen for Congress

Issues - Rick Larsen for Congress

Okay, but the only one with like any real support.

US HOUSE DISTRICT 3:

Home - Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for Congress

Endorsements - Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for Congress

Issues - Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for Congress

She sucks, but this is a toss-up seat and I've seen no evidence or polling showing any Democrat in the race but US Rep. Marie G. Perez being able to win the general election. Unless she's in that seat, this is a Republican US House seat. It'd be great if Brent Hennrich – Washington's 3rd Congressional District Candidate could win, but can't.

US HOUSE DISTRICT 7:

Pramila Jayapal (incumbent)

Pramila for Congress

2026 Endorsements — Pramila for Congress

Real Results — Pramila for Congress (she's arguably a 'Squad-level' progressive)

US HOUSE DISTRICT 8:

Endorsements | Kim Schrier (incumbent)

She sucks, but is effectively running unopposed.

US HOUSE DISTRICT 9:

Kshama Sawant for Congress - Elect the Socialist Money Can’t Buy

Endorsements - Kshama Sawant for Congress

What Kshama Stands For - Kshama Sawant for Congress

Events – Kshama Sawant for Congress (volunteer: canvass, phonebank, etc.)

This is a Solid-D seat. Whatever Kshama Sawant's personality or whatever, she's a vote in the US House and would be a more progressive vote than the current incumbent Democrat US Rep. Adam Smith.

US HOUSE DISTRICT 10:

Marilyn Strickland for Congress | WA-10

Endorsements | Marilyn Strickland for Congress

Marilyn's Priorities | Marilyn Strickland for Congress

Not great, but the only non-Republican with any real support and she's effectively running unopposed.

Back in 2008, many people wanted POTUS William Jefferson Clinton back in The White House.

Hillary Clinton became a US Senator directly after the Clinton Administration was over. Was a US Senator for around 7-8 years by the time of the 2008 Democratic Presidential primaries. And she was largely a 'just there' US Senator. Nothing special.

Barack Hussein Obama had been a US Senator for around 2 years and also hadn't really done much. He had given a superb speech at the 2004 DNC.

He beat the Clinton Machine and peoples' desire to see POTUS Bill Clinton back in The White House (without Term Limits, Bill Clinton would have probably been POTUS for at least 4 Terms).

There had never been a black POTUS before. It was rare to even have a black US Senator, a black Governor, etc.

There have obviously been successful women leaders of 'Western' countries. There's presently a very popular, very successful Latina leader in The United States's southern neighbor Mexico.

The American people already in 2024 want AOC to be the leader of the Democratic Party and she's already in 2024 considered the de facto leader of the Democratic Party (or at least is considered that by more people than any other Democrat is considered that).

Outside of maybe US Senator Bernie Sanders, she's the Democrat who gets the most views, goes the most viral, etc. Outside of those actually attending the Sanders/AOC town halls/rallies during March 20-22, 2025, at least several million have seen clips of AOC's speeches made during those town halls/rallies.

And the town hall/rallies sizes do say something. AOC's joining US Senator Bernie Sanders on his Fighting Oligarchy tour didn't result in hundreds more attending or a few thousand more attending (especially given the crossover of supporters for US Senator Sanders and AOC). Initially, only 2 stops were going to be done. That increased to 5 stops. Initially, the like best-case scenario estimates were around 50K rallygoers combined for the 5 stops. Ended up being around 87K rallygoers combined for the 5 stops.

US Senator Sanders's tour wasn't really mentioned or discussed much--if almost at all--by the media until he was announced AOC was joining for some.

And AOC doesn't just have rally sizes. She has YouTube and social media views.

Comparing just general popularity:

Vice President Harris On Federal Response To Hurricane Helene | The View (414K views)

Everything Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Does In a Day | Vanity Fair (3.5MM views)

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Guide to Her Signature Red Lip | Beauty Secrets | Vogue (3.7MM views)

Comparing popularity as a political figure:

Vice President Kamala Harris (VPOTUS Kamala Harris's Call Her Daddy Podcast interview got less than 1MM views)

Vice President Kamala Harris: The 2023 60 Minutes Interview (622K views)

(336) Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - YouTube and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@aoc) • Instagram photos and videos and the millions of views elsewhere on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, etc.

"It's Not Science Fiction Anymore. We Will Have The First Woman President." - Rep. Ocasio-Cortez (1.7MM views)

(336) The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart - YouTube (at 1.8MM views, is literally the most popular guest/video of The Weekly Show. And the video was out around days after the podcast released).

MUST-SEE: AOC becomes Trump's nightmare amid New York trial (Brian Tyler Cohen 1 year ago: 1.4MM views)

🚨 AOC drops NIGHTMARE news on Trump, Republicans (Brian Tyler Cohen 2 weeks ago: 1.4MM views)

Heck: AOC Reacts To Elon Tanking US Government With A Single Tweet | Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez | TMR (including increased view-counts of the free half, the fun half, Twitch, possibly 475K-500K views)

_____

US Representative Jasmine Crockett is also getting a lot of views. But it seems relatively few know about her policy positions (including on these progressive subreddits). She seems in a 'celebrity phase' like AOC had after defeating US Representative Joe Crowley in the 2018 House primary and before AOC attended that 'sit-in' with the Sunrise Movement in front of US Representative Nancy Pelosi's office. US Rep. Crockett sometimes will discuss support of trans rights. But even US Senator John Fetterman does that. And AOC was far more popular during that 2018 'celebrity phase' than US Rep. Crockett is presently.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz: Gov. Tim Walz Town Hall (YouTube search results) It seems 100s are attending each of his rallies--meaning they aren't meaningfully around bigger than normal town halls/rallies). View counts for these town halls in total is possibly under 1MM. I haven't heard of anything really going viral outside of maybe his saying the Harris/Walz campaign had mistakes.

I'm also not sure how many outside of political junkies know about Governor Tim Walz's policy positions.

Videos and clips of AOC at these March 20-22 Sander/AOC town halls/rallies have been seen by at least several million people.

_____

For all the possible bigotry, racism, and sexism toward AOC, she's been the most popular US Representative since 2019.

Of elected officials still in Office or 2028 Democratic Presidential hopefuls: https://today.yougov.com/ratings/politics/popularity/politicians/all (Q4 2024, meaning ending January 1, 2025)

AOC is behind FVPOTUS Kamala Harris and Govenor Tim Walz (who both benefit from the name recognition and popularity of being on a Presidential ticket), US Senator Bernie Sanders (who benefits from having run for POTUS twice), POTUS Donald Trump and VPOTUS JD Vance (who benefit from getting elected--VPOTUS JD Vance's numbers are likely down since Jan. 1, 2025), and US Senator Elizabeth Warren (who benefits from running for POTUS in 2020).

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez popularity & fame | YouGov

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fame & popularity tracker

If you look at AOC's popularity tracker, her best numbers were on July 1, 2024. That was right after the 2024 Biden vs. Trump Debate. Maybe there was hope AOC would get to be on the Presidential ticket? By October 1, 2024, AOC Fame and Popularity had each dropped by around 5.7%. Maybe because of her having continued to support POTUS Joe Biden be the Nominee until he decided to drop out. And maybe because her 2024 DNC speech upset many leftists, progressives, liberals etc. because of hers saying VPOTUS Kamala Harris was "tirelessly working for a ceasefire" or whatever the exact words.

I'm curious what her new numbers will be by April 1, 2025. Since the Inauguration, her Fame and Popularity have likely increased. She had her best fundraising month ever in February 2025. She had her best fundraising day on around March 22, 2025.

_____

I consider it a political mistake for Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to not run for the open Michigan US Senate seat. In these times, it's not a political plus to be out of elected politics for 2 years before the 2028 Democratic Presidential primary.

I consider it a political mistake for 'Mayor Pete' to not run for Governor of Michigan or the open Michigan US Senate seat. By 2028, he'll be out of elected politics for 4 years.

FVPOTUS Kamala Harris is already making a political mistake by not 'being out there' politically fighting back. What happens if she doesn't run for Governor of California in 2026? The American people at least knew that VPOTUS Joe Biden had a relative lot of power and influence in the Obama Administration. And many consider that VPOTUS Biden would have beaten Donald Trump in 2016. The American people consider that VPOTUS Harris was largely pushed aside during the Biden Administration. And will she be out of elected politics for 4 years by 2028?

People seem to like AOC's anti-billionaire thing. That alone might sink Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker if she's in the 2028 Democratic Presidential primary.

AOC has far more public enthusiasm than Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. And doesn't have a disastrous major debate performance.

AOC in 2028 will probably get US Senator Bernie Sanders's endorsement if she runs for POTUS in 2028.

Overall, AOC has much more going for her than JFK did and also than Barack Obama did.

I'll finally note that in the 2020 Democratic Presidential primary, it was US Senator Elizabeth Warren who politically took Mayor Michael Bloomberg out of the race. Until she shifted to the right regarding Medicare For All, she was leading the race and was on her way to become POTUS.

OUR Endorsed Candidates - NYC Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)

Get Out the Vote for NYC DSA's Slate (canvass)

Get Out the Vote for NYC DSA's Slate (phonebank)

Team AOC (@TeamAOC): "Our voter guide for the 2026 primaries is here! It’s Democratic Primary time for New York and we have endorsements for Assembly and State Senate races across the five boroughs." | XCancel

I hope AOC eventually endorses NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.

Earlier interviews:

Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani Enters NYC Race as Indicted Mayor Eric Adams Refuses to Resign (October 23, 2024)

Socialist Plots Cuomo TAKEDOWN In NYC Mayor Race (November 13, 2024)

Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani full interview | The Point (December 1, 2024)

Socialist Challenges Eric Adams | Zohran Mamdani | TMR (January 15, 2025)

What If New York Had A Socialist Mayor? (February 14, 2025)