Pro-Israel, pro-peace advocacy group J Street today called on MD-04 candidate Glenn Ivey to disavow misleading ads from the United Democracy Project (UDP), a super PAC run by AIPAC, a hawkish, right-wing lobby group which is also fundraising for 109 Republicans who voted to overturn the 2020 election results on January 6.

AIPAC is spending more than $10 million through UDP to defeat Democrats in primaries over the 2022 cycle while also fundraising for over 100 Republicans who sided with insurrectionists by voting to overturn the 2020 election. United Democracy Project has announced over $600,000 in misleading negative ads to attack former Democratic Congresswoman Donna Edwards and support Glenn Ivey, with more spending expected soon.

Kevin Rachlin, VP of Public Affairs for J Street, released the following statement:

“It’s appalling. These baseless attacks against an experienced Democrat like Donna Edwards are being funded by a hawkish, Republican-aligned group which is actively fundraising for those who threaten our democracy. As Speaker Pelosi made clear, these attacks against Donna are baseless.

Glenn Ivey must show his commitment to American democracy by calling for United Democracy Project to pull its misleading ads from this race. Accepting support from a super PAC tied to 109 Republicans who tried to overturn Joe Biden’s election should be a red flag for every Democratic voter. With the January 6 committee hearings ongoing, the question must be posed to Glenn Ivey — can you meet the moment? This is about character, judgment and core democratic principles.

For months, AIPAC has been attacking public officials who stand for human rights and the rule of law on the one hand, while endorsing insurrectionist Republicans on the other.

This race is part of a larger referendum on whether our democratic system is going to reject attempts by AIPAC and affiliated PACs to overwhelm the political system by spending tens of millions of dollars in an effort to shut down those who — like Donna Edwards — courageously stand up for peace, diplomacy and human rights for both Israelis and Palestinians.

J Street is proud to support former Congresswoman Donna Edwards as she stands up to disingenuous attacks from Republican-aligned groups. She’s a Democratic fighter who fights for her district, gets results and stands by her principles, which is why Democratic leaders like Nancy Pelosi and Elizabeth Warren want her back by their side in Congress.”