We’ve reported before on the antics of Hamas Caucus member Summer Lee (D-PA), a member of AOC’s infamous Democratic Socialist “Squad” group who has been trying and failing to straddle the fence on the Israel-Hamas war since the October 7th Hamas terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians.
Though the 12th Congressional District she ostensibly represents is home to a large Jewish population (and is where the Tree of Life Synagogue is located), Lee joined the “ceasefire now” chorus early on, but at times would also temper her rhetoric to appear more middle of the road.
A few pro-Israel groups ran ads against her ahead of the Democratic primary, with some backing a woman who was thought to be a formidable opponent, businesswoman and Edgewood Borough Council member Bhavini Patel, who faced intimidation tactics from Lee’s supporters and staff after announcing her candidacy in October.
Unfortunately, despite Lee seeming to be a vulnerable Democrat incumbent, it appears she has been victorious in her primary, with DDHQ declaring her the winner:
Decision Desk HQ projects Summer Lee wins the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District.#DecisionMade: 8:45pm ET
Follow results here: https://t.co/mXSWJkmUMd pic.twitter.com/wLn7DMeHsQ
— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) April 24, 2024
Lee’s victory was made possible by, you guessed it, Democrats who never learn:
Just a couple of miles north of Squirrel Hill, a historic Jewish enclave, in the tree-lined residential Highland Park area, a group under the banner of “Jews for Summer Lee” gathered one recent morning to stump for the Democratic incumbent.
“At this moment when we all, I think, have real worries and concerns about a war breaking out, Summer is the person that can bring us together in dialogue and community and to try to figure out how to maintain peace and mutual aid and support,” Kenny Mostern, a longtime Lee supporter and Jewish activist, told those gathered at the canvass launch, just a day after Iran launched an aerial assault on Israel.
Though Squad members will paint this as a resounding defeat of nationally known pro-Israel groups, it should be noted that some of the same ones who got involved in her 2022 race did not throw their weight around as much in this one, with some backing “off over concerns about Patel’s low profile and Lee’s strong polling.”
As to if this is a sign of things to come for other Hamas Caucus members who are facing primary challengers – like Reps. Cori Bush (D-MO), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), and Ilhan Omar (D-MN), only time will tell. But rest assured they (and their cheerleaders in the MSM) will use Lee escaping her primary challenger unscathed as a rallying cry, and to proclaim that they simply can’t be stopped.
And sadly, they just might be right.
Flashback: AOC, Cori Bush Step in It Big Time After Accusing AIPAC of ‘Exploiting’ Hamas Rape Victims
