The “Moderate PAC,” presenting itself as a concerned local group, recently launched a 30-second ad targeting progressive first-term Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., accusing her of disloyalty to President Joe Biden. The ad, featuring imagery from the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, urges support for Bhavini Patel, Lee’s primary challenger in the 12th district.
However, the PAC’s true nature is far from centrist; it’s backed by GOP megadonor Jeff Yass, a fervent supporter of former President Donald Trump. Yass, through his hedge fund, has contributed $1.8 million of the $2 million raised by the PAC, dwarfing local donations.
Yass’s significant financial support has been primarily aimed at targeting Lee, branding her as an “extreme socialist.” His influence extends beyond financial contributions; he holds a substantial stake in Trump Media and may have influenced Trump’s stance on issues like the TikTok ban.
Billionaire Trump Supporter Funds Campaign Against Progressive Summer Lee (Credits: Huffpost)
Lee has highlighted Yass’s involvement in her own campaign ads, accusing Republican-funded Super PACs of spreading falsehoods about her. Despite facing attacks from various quarters, Lee has garnered support from progressive groups like the Working Families Party and Justice Democrats, who have collectively spent $600,000 on her behalf.
Lee has faced not only attacks from Moderate PACs but also scrutiny from organizations like AIPAC for her stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza. AIPAC, known for its bipartisan lobbying efforts, has spent significant sums to challenge Democratic candidates deemed unsupportive of Israel, even on unrelated issues.
Lee’s opponent, Bhavini Patel, initially welcomed Moderate PAC’s support but has since distanced herself, claiming full support for President Biden. However, Patel has not explicitly rejected support from Yass despite denouncing him during debates.
Billionaire Trump Supporter Funds Campaign Against Progressive Summer Lee (Credits: POLITICO)
Yass’s backing of Moderate PAC is part of a broader strategy to undermine progressive members of Congress in Democratic primaries. AIPAC, for instance, has targeted incumbents like Jamaal Bowman, spending millions to support challengers deemed more aligned with their interests. While AIPAC has not officially entered Lee’s primary battle, her campaign remains vigilant, having overcome significant financial opposition in the past.
Emilia Rowland, a spokesperson for Lee, has emphasized the importance of voters knowing about Yass’s support for Patel, framing it as a clear attempt by Republicans to influence the Democratic primary.
Despite facing well-funded opposition and attacks from various quarters, Lee remains committed to her progressive agenda, advocating for issues ranging from abortion rights to environmental justice and challenging corporate power on behalf of marginalized communities. As the primary approaches, voters will have to weigh the influence of big money against the values and priorities of their chosen candidate.
