Members of the far-left “Squad” on Tuesday survived a challenge from a centrist Democratic lawmaker who harshly criticized Israel and threatened his re-election in a district with a large Jewish community.
First-term Congresswoman Summer Lee is once again the Democratic candidate to represent Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District, defeating local Congresswoman Bhavani Patel.
Lee’s victory marks a 2022 victory over fellow “Squad” member Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Del.), who was nearly ousted in her own primary race for controversial statements about police and Israel throughout her political career. This was the second victory for the state (Minnesota).
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Democratic Congressional candidate Babini Patel (left) and Congresswoman Summer Lee (Democratic). (right). (Patel, Pennsylvania/Getty Images)
The campaign is a major draw for progressives critical of Israel, as the Oct. 7 military operation in the Gaza Strip continues and divisions within the party continue over support for America’s closest ally in the Middle East. It was seen as an early test of how Democrats would interact with voters. Terrorist attack by Hamas.
Since the attacks and escalation of the war, Lee had called for a ceasefire and opposed sending additional funds to Israel.
She has come under fire in recent months from pro-Israel groups and the Jewish community for her comments on the war, including an open letter signed by dozens of rabbis calling out her “divisive statements.” denounced it as being “openly anti-Semitic”.
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The article warned about former President Donald Trump’s defeat of President Joe Biden in recent polls in battleground states. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
During the campaign, Patel framed Lee’s anti-Israel stance as part of a left-wing politics that was too extreme for residents in the area, and questioned what President Biden’s policies would be as he faces his own challenge of defeating former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania. He argued that it was a contrast. President Trump in November.
Anti-Semitism has been a particular problem in the 12th Ward, where the synagogue is where a gunman killed 11 worshipers in 2018 in the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history.
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Lee’s victory avoided becoming the first House Democratic incumbent to lose in a primary this year. Other members of the Squad are expected to face tough primaries from centrist Democrats, including Cori Bush, D-Missouri, Jamal Bowman, D-N.Y., and Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. has been done.
FOX News’ Emma Colton and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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