A super PAC created to counter pro-Israel political action committees has confirmed it will support Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's Democratic US Senate primary, despite the candidate's pledge to refuse all super PAC funding.

A spokesperson for American Priorities PAC, the anti-AIPAC group, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on Tuesday that its recent vow to do whatever it takes to help El-Sayed means actual spending on his behalf.

The decision places El-Sayed, who leads a popular insurgent campaign for a key Democratic seat, alongside other progressives this cycle who criticized pro-Israel super PACs while swearing off corporate money yet stand to gain from the new pro-Palestinian super PAC.

Super PACs face no fundraising caps but cannot coordinate directly with campaigns under the law, allowing American Priorities to fund ads and voter outreach for El-Sayed without his approval.

El-Sayed has not yet issued a public response to the group's plans.

'Money out of politics'

A physician and former county health director, El-Sayed is set to debate his main rival, US Rep. Haley Stevens, on Tuesday night in Grand Rapids.

A third candidate, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, exited the race over the weekend, prompting American Priorities to announce its support for El-Sayed. The primary takes place on Aug. 4.

El-Sayed has centered his refusal of PAC money in his platform. The phrase money out of politics appears on many of his yard signs. A campaign ad released June 30 stated he was the only Senate candidate who has accepted no corporate PAC money.

The American Priorities spokesperson did not reply to a follow-up question on how El-Sayed's anti-PAC pledge affects the spending plans. Requests for comment from the El-Sayed and Stevens campaigns also went unanswered.

Stevens, a pro-Israel moderate open to PAC support, has received at least $10 million in AIPAC-affiliated funding to boost her bid, per Federal Election Commission records. AIPAC-backed ads for her have highlighted policies such as limits on immigration enforcement that similar ads have opposed in other races this year.

Avoiding PAC money and treating AIPAC as a 'bogeyman'

American Priorities has added complexity to the progressive surge in the 2026 primaries, where pro-Palestinian positions and opposition to corporate funding have become paired priorities while AIPAC is singled out as a key target.

The group also spent to assist democratic socialists Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier in their successful New York congressional primary wins last month, even though Valdez pledged to end Citizens United and Avila Chevalier called to abolish super PACs.

The spending gave opponents grounds to charge hypocrisy but did not prevent the candidates from winning. American Priorities likewise spent heavily to back Adam Hamawy, a doctor who served in Gaza and won his crowded New Jersey congressional primary in June.