Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Sunday, August 10, 2026, urged Democratic leaders to ban super PACs from participating in Democratic primary elections. Sanders made this call in a letter addressed to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), and Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin.

The Vermont senator's demand follows campaign donations by the pro-Israel lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which Sanders claims are intended to ensure the defeat of Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed (D), whom Sanders supports. Sanders criticized the influence of billionaire-funded super PACs, stating, "What is particularly obscene is not only the outrageous amount of money coming into Democratic primaries from billionaire-funded super PACs, but the reality that these special interests have no particular desire to see Democrats win. It is absurd that they spend tens of millions of dollars to try to determine who the Democratic nominee is and, if they fail, then proceed to support the Republican candidate in the general election."

El-Sayed, a Muslim candidate who has been critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and accused him of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, acknowledged during a debate that "That is the pro quo that comes with a quid of $30 million spent by AIPAC."

Sanders also reiterated his call to repeal the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision, which allowed for increased independent political expenditures.

In the Michigan Senate race, Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), who lost to El-Sayed in the primary, is reportedly backing the Republican nominee, former Rep. Mike Rogers, in the general election.

Sources