Congressional Candidates Call For Transparency Following Reports Of Outside Pressure

SKOKIE, IL — Seven candidates running for Congress in Illinois' 9th District are calling for transparency in response to reports that AIPAC is pressuring another candidate to drop out of the race.

In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Democratic candidate Bruce Leon said he planned to suspend his candidacy because the American Israel Public Affairs Committee pressured him for months.

Now, Leon's fellow candidates are concerned about the pressure campaign, which they said "undermines the democratic process with a lack of financial transparency." The letter was signed by fellow IL-09 candidates Bushra Amiwala, Phil Andrew, Daniel Biss, Justin Ford, Jeff Cohen and Nick Pyati as well as Leon.

“We do not believe candidates should be coerced, intimidated, or pressured to leave a race by outside actors,” the candidates wrote. “Decisions about who runs for office should be made by the candidates themselves and, ultimately, by voters at the ballot box.”

Leon, who is an Orthodox Jew and a supporter of Israel, said the lobbying organization was pushing to consolidate support for another candidate, Sen. Laura Fine.

Investigative outlet The Intercept reported that AIPAC hosted a private fundraiser in support of Fine in December in Los Angeles. Despite distancing herself from the organization, AIPAC has sent fundraising messages in support of Fine, and she has received more than $300,000 in donations from AIPAC-aligned donors.

In the letter, the candidates called for full transparency regarding outside political spending and influence in the race. They also called for an immediate end to any efforts to pressure Democratic candidates to withdraw from the race.

"Our party is strongest when voters decide elections freely, without fear, manipulation, or backroom pressure," the candidates wrote. "We remain committed to a fair, open, and respectful primary that reflects Democratic values and preserves unity for the general election ahead."