Rep. Jan Schakowsky pulls Donna Miller endorsement in 2nd Congressional District over AIPAC support

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky has withdrawn her endorsement of Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller in the 2nd Congressional District race over Miller receiving campaign funding from American Israel Public Affairs Committee donors — and an AIPAC super PAC that is running TV ads to support her.

Schakowsky had endorsed Miller on Jan. 29 — with the congresswoman saying Miller "has spent her career fighting for families, veterans, seniors and working people throughout Cook County." But Schakowsky earlier this month decided to pull that endorsement, amid a flurry of media reports and accounts from 2nd Congressional District candidates about Miller receiving money from AIPAC donors and an AIPAC-affiliated super PAC running ads benefiting her.

Schakowsky first confirmed the un-endorsement to the Chicago Sun-Times Thursday.

"Illinois deserves leaders who put voters first, not AIPAC or out-of-state Trump donors," Schakowsky said in a statement to the Sun-Times. "I cannot support any candidate running for Congress who is funded by these outside interests. That is one of the many reasons I am supporting Daniel Biss in IL-09. Daniel will always put Illinois families ahead of outside influence."

Schakowsky had made the Miller endorsement before she was aware of outside money coming into the race, including from donors supportive of President Donald Trump.

At a forum in Thornton Township Saturday, Miller was asked about Schakowsky's endorsement but declined to provide details.

"I've been friends with Jan Schakowksy for over 20 years," Miller said.

A super PAC called Affordable Chicago Now has spent $868,000 to help Miller, in positive TV ads that highlight her work for Planned Parenthood of Illinois. Miller has also reported more than $875,000 in contributions from donors who have given to AIPAC, the powerful pro-Israel organization, or its affiliated super PAC, the United Democracy Project. The super PAC has received millions of dollars from AIPAC and has spent heavily in Democratic primaries. The super PACS are not allowed to directly coordinate with campaigns.

AIPAC is playing a role in four congressional races in Illinois — helping to boost Miller in the 2nd, former U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean in the 8th, State Sen. Laura Fine in the 9th and Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears Ervin in the 7th Congressional District. United Democracy Project has spent more than $753,000 to support Conyears Ervin.

Asked about AIPAC support earlier this month by the Sun-Times, Miller denied she was getting dollars from "MAGA donors."

“I don't have any MAGA donors. People are contributing to my campaign because I have a strong record. My message is resonating. This is what I'm talking about out in the field,” Miller said. “And who's talking about these other issues? I haven't heard anyone talk about it until my opponents realize that they're losing and they want to attack me.”

Asked if she supported “unconditional military aid for Israel,” Miller said, “Israel does have a right to exist.”

“I also come from a military family, so I understand the impact that the military has when we're talking about securing our democracy,” Miller said. “So I do feel that we need to make sure that we have a strong Middle East.”

Miller's campaign removed Schakowsky's endorsement on their website and on Facebook. But it remained live on their Instagram page.

Miller is leading fundraising in the crowded field to replace outgoing Rep. Robin Kelly, as former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. vies for his old seat. State Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago, has the progressive backing, including a glowing endorsement from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. Rounding out the field are state Sen. Willie Preston; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board member Yumeka Brown; Adal Regis, who worked in Kelly’s district office; management consultant Eric France; attorney Patrick “PJK” Keating; Toni C. Brown and Sidney Moore.

Schakowsky in January endorsed Biss to replace her in the 9th Congressional District. The longtime Democratic congresswoman also pointedly said that she didn’t want “out-of-state donors and special interests to buy this seat.”

Elect Chicago Women is spending on TV ads benefiting Fine, one of Biss' challengers. Biss and others say the super PAC is working to benefit AIPAC. Fine has also raised more than $1.2 million in the last reporting period, with about $1 million coming from donors who have given to AIPAC-affiliated groups.

Asked about AIPAC donors by the Sun-Times earlier this month, Fine said "anybody who's supporting me is supporting my record, supporting a record of getting things changed when it comes to health care, standing up to corporate polluters, making sure Illinois is a 100% pro choice state."

A total of 15 Democratic candidates are running for the 9th Congressional District seat in the primary, including progressive content creator Kat Abughazaleh, Phil Andrew, Bushra Amiwala, state Sen. Mike Simmons, economist Jeff Cohen, State Rep. Hoan Huynh, former federal prosecutor Nick Pyati, veteran Sam Polan, civil rights attorney Howard Rosenblum, Evanston resident Bethany Johnson, union organizer Justin Ford, Patricia A. Brown and Mark Arnold Fredrickson.