Bernie Sanders urges Democrats to ban ‘corrupt’ AIPAC spending in primaries

Senator Bernie Sanders urged the Democratic Party to prohibit the involvement of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and super PACs in primary elections, calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn the 2010 Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. FEC that enabled the rise of super PACs. In a letter to Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, Sanders criticized the influence of wealthy donors and outside groups in shaping the outcomes of Democratic primaries. The letter, shared with Face the Nation and posted on Sanders' X account, argued that super PACs, entities that accept unlimited contributions from individuals and organizations for campaign advertising, have already spent over $517 million during the 2026 midterm election cycle. These groups, which are not allowed to coordinate directly with candidates, have become a major force in financing political campaigns. According to CBS News, Sanders emphasized that the current system allows candidates who support reform to still rely on super PAC funds, as the benefits remain too enticing to ignore. Sanders proposed that the Democratic Party take immediate steps to ban super PACs from participating in primary elections, a measure that does not require congressional legislation. He stated that while ideological differences exist within the party, there should be consensus on preventing Republican-aligned interests from influencing Democratic primaries. “The time to act is now,” he wrote, urging Democratic leaders to take control of the internal campaign finance system. In addition to addressing super PACs, Sanders specifically named AIPAC, noting its role in supporting candidates such as Haley Stevens in Michigan’s recent primary race, which she lost to Abdul El-Sayed. He highlighted that AIPAC, known for its bipartisan approach, is expected to back the Republican Senate candidate, Mike Rogers, in the upcoming general election. This, according to Sanders, exemplifies how outside groups prioritize their own interests over the success of Democratic candidates. “Look, in the world that we live in, until we get rid of Citizens United and get rid of super PACs and move to public funding of elections, that is the reality,” Sanders said. “You can’t allow Democratic candidates to be outspent 50 to 1. But it is a corrupt campaign finance system, and Democrats can take charge of what takes place within their own primaries right now.” He further condemned the practice of spending large sums of money to influence the selection of a Democratic nominee, only to shift support to the opposing party if the desired candidate fails. “That is not democracy. That is not what Democratic voters want,” he wrote. The letter reflects growing frustration among some Democratic lawmakers regarding the increasing financial power of outside groups in shaping electoral outcomes. While Sanders has long advocated for campaign finance reform, his call to explicitly exclude AIPAC and super PACs from primary elections marks a more direct challenge to the current system. His remarks align with broader concerns about the influence of wealth in politics, particularly in the context of the 2026 midterms. As the Democratic Party continues to grapple with the implications of its financial structure, Sanders’ proposal could spark renewed debate about the role of external funding in primary elections. Whether such a policy change will gain traction depends on the willingness of other party leaders to confront the entrenched interests that currently dominate the landscape of modern political fundraising.