From NBC News: A new progressive group is promising to spend at least $10 million to boost preferred Democratic candidates and counter pro-Israel groups that have spent tens of millions of dollars to shape party primaries in recent years.
The group, called American Priorities, has already reported spending more than $500,000 to boost North Carolina Democrat Nida Allam in her primary challenge against Rep. Valerie Foushee. It also spent $72,000 to support the Rev. Frederick Haynes III in his bid for a Dallas-area congressional district.
While campaign finance filings disclosed those outlays last week, the group’s broader aims had not previously been revealed.
American Priorities plans to target at least 10 more races with a commitment to spend “eight figures,” according to a news release announcing the group’s creation. It says it’s “focusing on competitive primaries where independent expenditures can move outcomes.”
In regards to the North Carolina race, the group is seeking to oust Democrat Rep. Valerie Foushee, 69, a Black woman who has served in U.S. Congress since 2023. Foushee voted to provide Israel with support following October 7 attacks, and flew to Israel in March 2024. as part of a trip organized by AIPAC to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Since Foushee is pro-Israel, American Priorities is trying to replace her with Nida Allam, 32, a political activist and a Muslim. Allam has served on the Durham County Board of Commissioners since December 2020, making her the first Muslim woman to serve in public office in North Carolina.
A new progressive group is promising to spend at least $10 million to boost preferred Democratic candidates and counter pro-Israel groups that have spent tens of millions of dollars to shape party primaries in recent years. https://t.co/vDjsTS3pY7
— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 20, 2026
American Priorities is also reportedly spending big bucks in Texas, as they are seeking to install Frederick Haynes into the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who is running for Senate. Haynes is Crockett’s pastor.
NBC also revealed who is leading the progressive American Priorities PAC: Hannah Fertig — a strategist who served in key roles on Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign and for the progressive, incumbent-challenging group Justice Democrats — will lead the PAC’s work. The group is also working with progressive consulting firms like Middle Seat and Fight Agency.
According to another report by the American Prospect: The American Priorities statement of organization lists as its campaign treasurer Mark Hanna, a Zohran Mamdani donor who was once on the board of Yalla Brooklyn, a kind of precursor to the Mamdani movement in New York City.
American Priorities, a new super PAC, is throwing its weight behind progressive Democrats in upcoming midterm election primaries in North Carolina and Texas in an effort to counter the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). https://t.co/F2CcaBlCFy pic.twitter.com/2jScWr3bqw
— The American Prospect (@TheProspect) February 20, 2026
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