Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) weighed in on the national conversation surrounding the American Israel Public Affairs Committee donating to and endorsing American political candidates, calling the “cynical” use of anti-AIPAC sentiments “a danger for our system.”
AIPAC endorsements and donations from its associated PACs have become a central conversation in the 2026 midterm elections, as the group’s influence has played a significant role in primary elections in states such as Kentucky and New Jersey. Shapiro, who has been vocal about his own Jewish faith, warned in a Politico interview that aired Tuesday about the dangers of conflating anti-AIPAC sentiments and frustration with Jewish donors in elections.
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“I think it’s been used cynically, by some, to try and silence certain voices, to try and say that certain people participating in politics shouldn’t count, or should be viewed in a toxic way,” Shapiro said.
“Now, do I agree with every political decision they’ve made?” Shapiro continued, referring to AIPAC. “Every endorsement they’ve made? Of course not.”
Shapiro, who has served as Pennsylvania’s governor since 2023, was a victim of an antisemitic attack on his home in April 2025, when an arsonist set fire to the governor’s mansion over the Passover holiday. The arsonist said he was motivated by his anger over Shapiro’s stance on the Israel-Hamas War, according to an affidavit. Shapiro has been outspoken about his Jewish faith and how it has shaped his personal life and career.
“What I am greeted by, even by people who disagree with my politics, is respect and tolerance for being open about my faith, and in many ways it invites them to share more about their own faith and to share more about their own customs and their tradition,” Shapiro said, discussing the conversations he’s had with Pennsylvanians as he travels across the state.
AIPAC was largely talked about in Rep. Thomas Massie‘s (R-KY) reelection bid, during which Massie criticized AIPAC, pro-Israel groups, and billionaires for the record cash infusion in his race that ultimately helped his GOP challenger Ed Gallrein surge to victory. On the Democratic side of the AIPAC debate, in New Jersey, former Democratic Rep. Tom Malinowski vowed to oppose any candidate backed by AIPAC after the group spent millions in attack ads against him and he lost his special election primary to liberal activist Analilia Mejia.
In Pennsylvania, Democratic state Rep. Chris Rabb, a vocal critic of AIPAC and Israel, recently won the primary in the state’s 3rd Congressional District. Rabb, now all but assured to win the general election in one of the bluest districts in the country, was endorsed by members of “the Squad” and campaigned with controversial left-wing streamer Hasan Piker, who has also been a vocal critic of Israel.
Shapiro did not address the AIPAC dynamics in the race in Pennsylvania’s 3rd District directly and instead spoke broadly about the topic with the outlet. When Politico’s Jonathan Martin asked Shapiro if he meant that the lines were being blurred between being against AIPAC and being against Jewish political donors as a whole, Shapiro answered in the affirmative.
“I think it does get blurred, because now what you are seeing is not ‘AIPAC money,’ or however it was termed, but you’re getting the Jews who give to that candidate, who also support AIPAC. I think it’s very dangerous in our system if you are trying to silence certain voices based on their race, based on their faith, based on their particular ideology,” Shapiro said.
He told the outlet that it was this “weaponization” of AIPAC’s politics that is “a danger for our system.”
“When you have people who are advocating for issues that they feel strongly about, and they are having their voices silenced, I think that’s a problem in our system,” Shapiro said.
JOSH SHAPIRO AND STACY GARRITY BRACE FOR BRUISING PENNSYLVANIA GUBERNATORIAL SHOWDOWN
Shapiro, having never been in a federal election during his career, has not yet faced the conundrum of whether to accept AIPAC money or an endorsement. However, the Pennsylvania governor is seen as a top Democratic contender to run for president in 2028.
He largely did not talk about 2028 in the interview aired Wednesday, telling Politico that he is focused on his 2026 run for reelection as governor and helping Democrats in the midterm elections. Shapiro is facing state Treasurer Stacy Garrity in the 2026 gubernatorial election, and he leads in recent polling.
