Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, left, and running mate, candidate for lieutenant governor, Christian Mitchell speak during an interview, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)2026-03-18T23:15:25Z CHICAGO (AP) Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday condemned special interest money that poured into the state ahead of this weeks primary, including from a pro-Israel political group that the billionaire and potential 2028 presidential contender once supported. Pritzker, a Jewish Democrat who also spent money to influence races Tuesday, was a donor to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee before he walked away more than a decade ago. He told The Associated Press on Wednesday that AIPAC, which lobbies for U.S. support for Israel and is a top donor to political campaigns, lost its way as a bipartisan group focused on Middle East peace.It became an organization that was supporting Donald Trump and people who follow Donald Trump, Pritzker said. AIPAC really is not an organization that I think today I would want any part of. Outside groups, including AIPAC, funneled roughly $70 million into six open U.S. House and Senate races in Illinois on Tuesday. Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune, called it interference.A message left Wednesday for an AIPAC spokesperson wasnt immediately returned. Outside groups influence campaign issuesThe open contests in Illinois largely due to retirements were a proving ground for some of the biggest issues before Democrats in 2026, from support for Israel to the cryptocurrency and AI industries, as super PACs poured millions into the races. Questions about U.S. involvement in the Israel-Hamas war, and in recent days the Iran war, permeated several contests. AIPACs involvement sparked some of the primarys harshest attacks, but the groups success was mixed. In a 10-candidate primary for a U.S. House district that includes parts of Chicagos South Side, AIPAC backed Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, who won the Democratic nod Tuesday. The groups preferred Democratic candidate in a heavily Jewish district north of Chicago, however, lost to Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss. While unopposed in his own primary, Pritzker was a strong presence in several campaigns, contributing millions to support his lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, in her successful bid for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination. The move, and Pritzkers possible 2028 presidential bid, put a fresh spotlight on his global policy views amid growing unrest over the Democratic Partys relationship to Israel.A supporter of Israel, Pritzker has also rejected the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He has called for two-state solution with safe havens needed both for Jews in Israel and Palestinians in Gaza.I do not know why the United States has walked away from that, except, of course, that Donald Trump doesnt seem to understand how to create Middle East peace and instead wants to go to war, as he has now done in Iran, simply following Netanyahu into that war, Pritzker said.Are we going to now take military adventures across the world to take out leaders, who we think are bad for their countries? he said. If so, were going to be involved in a whole lot of wars going forward. Millions into races from Pritzker, outside groupsPritzker himself put at least $5 million into helping Stratton get elected. She won the Democratic Senate nomination over U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who dominated in fundraising.Outside groups also spent more than $16 million to support Strattons campaign, while also spending $11 million in opposition.Pritzker said Stratton won because she was strong on issues, not because of his influence.She stood on her own two feet, and people saw that shes real and shes going to be a fighter for us in Washington, Pritzker said.Some voters disagreed. Matthew Crain, 54, who is from downstate Chatham, said Pritzkers endorsement influenced him to change his vote from Krishnamoorthi to Stratton.I thought with potential future running for president, I thought having one of his allies in would be a good thing, said Crain, a state worker.Brooke Morgan, 39, from Springfield, said she became familiar with Strattons politics over her last seven years as lieutenant governor.The governor is doing a pretty good job in Illinois, and I think that his backing, his support of her certainly gave me some confidence as well, said Morgan, a museum curator. Eyes on NovemberIn November, Pritzker faces Republican Darren Bailey, a former state lawmaker who backs Trumps agenda. It will be a rematch after Pritzker handily defeated Bailey in 2022.In a campaign speech to supporters Tuesday, Bailey, who received Trumps endorsement four years ago, said he doesnt agree with the president on everything and vowed to include Democrats who feel left out.Meanwhile in a campaign ad posted Wednesday, Pritzkers team characterized Bailey as still too extreme for Illinois. When asked about his own ambitions for higher office, Pritzker said he is not planning anything beyond his 2026 bid for a third term.That is not something Im thinking, he said.___Associated Press writer John OConnor in Springfield, Illinois, contributed to this report.