Overview
- This week Sen. Chris Van Hollen publicly accused AIPAC-linked and crypto-related super PACs of trying to "buy" the open 5th District seat and urged voters to scrutinize candidates’ ties to those funders.
- Van Hollen said outside groups have spent roughly $4.5 million backing Adrian Boafo, a state delegate endorsed by retiring Rep. Steny Hoyer, and called on voters to ask Boafo for records of communications with those groups.
- United Democracy Project, AIPAC’s super PAC, has run a seven-figure television ad buy for Boafo and its spokesperson rejected Van Hollen’s framing as a misrepresentation of the group’s motives.
- Boafo responded by condemning big-money influence, pledging to work on Citizens United reform if elected, and defending his campaign’s focus on affordability and health care.
- The dispute has intensified a crowded Democratic primary and highlights two larger tensions for the party: the power of independent super PAC spending and the role of pro-Israel advocacy in shaping nominating contests.