AIPAC Says It Will Stop Endorsing Candidates and Making Direct Contributions

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, known as AIPAC, announced on Oct. 21, 2026, that it will no longer issue endorsements for candidates. The group also said it will no longer make direct contributions to candidates from its political action committee, or PAC, which is a group that collects and gives money to campaigns. NPR

AIPAC further said it will stop earmarking funds for candidates, meaning it will no longer set aside money for specific candidates. Instead, the group said it will prioritize increasing direct, organized contributions from individual Americans to candidates.

In a letter to members, AIPAC wrote that "the challenges we are confronting will continue to grow in the years ahead."

The group will keep its super PAC, a committee that spends money to support or oppose candidates without giving it directly to them, according to Times of Israel reporting on the announcement. AIPAC's affiliated super PAC, United Democracy Project, is also part of the group's political work. NPR

AIPAC began its direct political involvement five years before this announcement. Federal Election Commission filings, which record campaign money, show AIPAC contributed nearly $25 million to candidates and political committees in 2026 through Sept. 30. Over the same period, United Democracy Project contributed $13 million to candidates and political committees and spent an additional $53.5 million in independent expenditures, which are outside spending not coordinated with a campaign. NPR

The issue has also drawn attention within the Democratic Party. Reuters reported that in July 2026, nearly half of House Democrats voted for a failed amendment to cut off aid to Israel. Reuters