How did AIPAC-backed candidates fare in the US midterm elections?

“I’ve never taken money from AIPAC, and I’m not taking money from AIPAC in this campaign,” Talarico said in a clip for a podcast that later went viral. “Seeing what’s happening in Gaza makes me sick to my stomach as a teacher, as a Christian, as a human being.” On November 3, Talarico won by more than 12 percentage points.

Pro-Israel groups allied with AIPAC gave modest support – about $6,000 – to Talarico’s opponent, Ken Paxton, but Talarico’s willingness to be so open about his disdain for AIPAC is still a notable part of a shift in US politics. In races across the country, AIPAC and political spending groups linked to it poured tens of millions of dollars into backing one candidate or another.

While the group did back many winning candidates, nearly two-thirds of the total money it spent this election cycle went to those who ended up losing. Even among Republicans, candidates are thinking twice about taking funds from the group, said Rina Shah, a geopolitical adviser and strategist and a former senior GOP congressional aide.