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Democratic voters chose<\/span> the pro-Israel lobby candidate Donna Miller in Illinois\u2019 2nd District Tuesday night, marking an initial win for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee as observers await results in the state\u2019s other closely watched districts and Senate race.<\/p>\n With five open House seats and one open Senate seat heavily favored for Democrats<\/a>, Illinois\u2019 primaries presented a test for the future of the party \u2014 and top target for outside groups that poured more than $50 million<\/a> into races throughout the state. The infusion of outside cash included more than $35 million in spending from groups linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and the cryptocurrency and AI industries.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dozens of super PACs in Illinois sought to influence the competitive Democratic primaries, often while concealing both their donors and broader intentions. In the highly watched 9th Congressional District, AIPAC used groups with uncontroversial titles like \u201cElect Chicago Women<\/a>\u201d and \u201cChicago Progressive Partnership<\/a>\u201d to boost its pick, state Sen. Laura Fine, and pit progressive candidates against one another. The two progressives were leading in the results, with Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss ahead of activist and journalist Kat Abughazaleh, within two hours of polls closing Tuesday night.<\/p>\n The groups\u2019 competing ads at times inflamed and at times distracted from voter concerns over civil liberties, the economy, bipartisan fealty to corporations and wealthy donors, and now the unfolding war in Iran.\u00a0<\/p>\n The race presented a test for AIPAC in particular, which spent more than $22 million in several races in and around deep-blue Chicago while obscuring the pro-Israel lobby\u2019s involvement amid growing criticism<\/a>. In several other races, AIPAC donors<\/a> have funneled<\/a> money tocandidates<\/a> where it did not officially endorse, including in theU.S. Senate race<\/a>, The Intercept reported.\u00a0<\/p>\n The crypto industry spent more than $13 million<\/a> in Illinois races through the super PAC Fairshake, including close to $10 million against Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in the Senate race and more than $3 million<\/a> in two races attacking candidates who have voted for consumer protection regulations on cryptocurrency. The AI industry poured in another $2.5 million in two House races.\u00a0<\/p>\n This story will be updated as additional races are called.<\/p>\n Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller fended off a comeback attempt from former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. in a race that pitted AIPAC against the artificial intelligence industry.<\/p>\n Miller was backed heavily by a PAC affiliated with the pro-Israel group, while Jackson drew support from an AI PAC funded by tech leaders.<\/a><\/p>\n Jackson had the star power of his civil rights activist father\u2019s name but was tarnished by a federal fraud conviction for misusing campaign funds<\/a> over a decade ago during his previous stint as a U.S. representative.<\/p>\n AIPAC\u2019s role in the race made headlines in February, when retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, vacating her 9th Congressional District seat, withdrew her endorsement of Miller over the group\u2019s support for her.<\/a><\/p>\n Meanwhile, the progressive standardbearer in the race \u2014 state Sen. Robert Peters \u2014 was trailing far behind on Tuesday night, despite endorsements from Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.<\/p>\n2nd District: Miller Wins in Blow to AI Lobby <\/strong><\/h2>\n