Democrat Who Disavowed AIPAC After Launching Senate Campaign Had Reportedly Begged for Its Endorsement

"Before making public denunciations and rejections of AIPAC an early pillar of his Senate campaign against Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) spent months seeking a promise that the group would endorse him upon the announcement of his Senate campaign, a source familiar with the situation told Jewish Insider. The source said that Moulton who has been endorsed by AIPAC in previous races began courting AIPAC leaders in Massachusetts in the spring this year and then made multiple explicit requests for an endorsement throughout the summer."

"Moulton's campaign did not deny the reporting around his initial requests for the organization's endorsement. His statement breaking with the group explained he would be returning any prior and refusing any further donations from AIPAC, knocking the organization for having aligned itself too closely with Prime Minister Netanyahu's government."

"AIPAC had responded by declaring that Moulton was abandoning his friends to grab a headline, capitulating to the extremes rather than standing on conviction. His statement comes after years of him repeatedly asking for our endorsement and is a clear message to AIPAC members in Massachusetts, and millions of pro-Israel Democrats nationwide, that he rejects their support and will not stand with them, continued spokesperson Marshall Wittmann."

Seth Moulton spent months courting AIPAC and repeatedly sought a guarantee of the group's endorsement before launching his Senate campaign against Sen. Ed Markey. AIPAC had endorsed Moulton in prior races, and Moulton and allies pursued AIPAC leaders in Massachusetts in spring and made explicit endorsement requests through the summer. AIPAC leaders declined to promise an endorsement before the race began. Days after announcing his candidacy, Moulton publicly rejected AIPAC, pledged to return prior donations and refuse future donations, and criticized the organization for aligning too closely with Prime Minister Netanyahu's government. AIPAC accused him of abandoning supporters and seeking headlines.

Read at www.mediaite.com