Progressive gains in Illinois 9th District race challenge Israel lobby

Progressive candidates Daniel Biss and Kat Abughazaleh are leading in the Illinois 9th District Democratic primary, while state Senator Laura Fine, who received backing from the Israel lobby, is trailing significantly. Fine's poor performance appears directly linked to her association with AIPAC, the prominent pro-Israel lobbying organization that has traditionally wielded considerable influence in Democratic primaries. The results signal a notable shift in Democratic Party sentiment regarding Israel policy, with voters increasingly rejecting candidates perceived as too closely aligned with pro-Israel groups. The 9th District, which includes parts of Chicago's North Shore, has historically been a stronghold for mainstream Democratic candidates with traditional foreign policy positions. This outcome reflects broader tensions within the Democratic Party over Israel policy that have intensified since the October 2023 Hamas attacks and subsequent war in Gaza.