{"id":2227305,"date":"2024-04-22T15:02:02","date_gmt":"2024-04-22T19:02:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/aoc-helps-pennsylvania-squad-member-summer-lee-who-could-lose-seat-over-israel\/"},"modified":"2024-04-22T15:05:26","modified_gmt":"2024-04-22T19:05:26","slug":"aoc-helps-pennsylvania-squad-member-summer-lee-who-could-lose-seat-over-israel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/aoc-helps-pennsylvania-squad-member-summer-lee-who-could-lose-seat-over-israel\/","title":{"rendered":"AOC supports Pennsylvania &#8216;Squad&#8217; member Summer Lee facing seat jeopardy due to Israel issue"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Faoc-helps-pennsylvania-squad-member-summer-lee-who-could-lose-seat-over-israel%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2227305&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Freshman Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) seeks support for re-election in the \u200bPennsylvania\u2063 primary, testing Democratic stance on \u2062Gaza. Despite a \u2063safe district, Lee faces a\u2062 tough challenge for her views on Israel, supported by\u2064 Ocasio-Cortez. The\u200b battle \u200dwith Patel intensifies, reflecting broader debates on \u2064ceasefire and aid, shaping the critical primary outcome. Freshman Representative Summer Lee\u200b from Pennsylvania (D-PA) is actively seeking backing for her re-election campaign during the\u2064 Pennsylvania primary. This election serves as a pivotal test for\u200d the Democratic Party&#8217;s position on Gaza. Despite \u2064representing a traditionally\u2062 secure district, Lee encounters a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/top-secret-u-s-navy-system-detected-titan-sub-implosion-days-ago\/\" title=\"U.S. Navy Spotted Titan Sub Collapse in Advance\">significant challenge due<\/a> to her stance on Israel, with support from Ocasio-Cortez. The escalating contest\u2064 with \u200bPatel mirrors the\u2064 ongoing discussions on \u2063ceasefire and aid, ultimately influencing the \u200ccrucial primary result.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Freshman Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) is calling in some high-powered support to win a second term in the House, with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-admin\/post.php?post=2974415&#038;action=edit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"primary challenges\">Pennsylvania<\/a> election on Tuesday serving as the first test of whether Democratic lawmakers actively calling for a ceasefire in Gaza can survive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2024-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"primary challenges\">primary challenges<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The Democratic-held House seat in Pennsylvania\u2019s 12th District is not expected to be competitive come November. But despite being a prominent member of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/squad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>progressive \u201cSquad\u201d<\/a> in Washington, Lee now faces a contentious primary challenge over her views on Israel in a district with a significant Jewish population and where the Tree of Life synagogue\u00a0attack took place in 2018 that killed 11 worshippers.<\/p>\n<p>In response to the pressure, Lee has received help from her colleagues, including firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). <\/p>\n<figure><figcaption>Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks during a news conference by the Congressional Progressive Caucus on the threat of default, Wednesday, May 24, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed President Joe Biden\u2019s reelection campaign, sending a strong sign of Democratic unity from one of the party\u2019s most liberal members. \u201cI think he\u2019s done quite well, given the limitations that we have,\u201d Ocasio-Cortez said on the Pod Save America podcast Thursday. \u201cI do think that there are ebbs and flows.\u201d (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cPittsburgh, what you\u2019re doing on Tuesday is sending a message to the country and to the 1% to say this isn\u2019t working anymore, you\u2019re money isn\u2019t good here anymore,\u201d Ocasio-Cortez told supporters at a campaign event on Sunday. \u201cThey can\u2019t buy this election. We are going to grow our representation and expand it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Pennsylvania\u2019s 12th District is likely to favor the Democratic nominee, meaning the winner of the primary election on Tuesday is poised to secure the seat. That puts pressure on Lee as she faces a tough challenge from Bhavini Patel, who has targeted Lee over her repeated calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is no way of making every single person happy, but what we\u2019re seeing play out in Gaza is undeniably unconscionable,\u201d Lee <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/politics\/elections\/squad-member-summer-lee-faces-primary-challenge-over-criticism-of-israel-60991c90\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>told<\/a> the <em>Wall Street Journal<\/em>. \u201cIf you are of the belief that a ceasefire is not the way to go, then that is a perspective. It\u2019s not one that I share.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Lee has since condemned Hamas in public statements since its first attack on Israel on Oct. 7. However, the Pennsylvania Democrat received scrutiny for voting against a resolution condemning the terrorist group Hamas late last year as well as her vote against the foreign aid package providing relief to Israel that was voted on over the weekend.<\/p>\n<p>Lee, along with several other Democrats, voted against the aid legislation over arguments the money would \u201cresult in more killings of civilians.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure><figcaption>Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) dons a scarf as Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) top, looks on, before President Joe Biden arrives to deliver his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, March 7, 2024. (AP Photo\/J. Scott Applewhite)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cAll of us support strengthening the Iron Dome and other defense systems and we are committed to a sovereign, safe, and secure future for Israel,\u201d the group, which included Ocasio-Cortez and Lee, said in a joint statement. \u201cTo protect that future, we believe the United States must help achieve a ceasefire that allows hostages to be freed, humanitarian aid to be delivered, and peace talks to begin.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>To be sure, Lee will be a tough incumbent to beat. The Pennsylvania Democrat made history in 2022 after becoming the first black woman to represent the Keystone State in Congress.<\/p>\n<p>But Lee faces an uphill battle as outside Democratic groups pour millions of dollars into the race, including one super PAC backed by Republican megadonor Jeffrey Yass, who is supporting Patel.<\/p>\n<p>Patel, a local councilwoman representing Edgewood, Pennsylvania, has drawn attention in her challenge to Lee, particularly for her calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe\u2019s clearly picked a side in this situation and completely disregards her entire district,\u201d Patel <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/politics\/2024\/04\/22\/summer-lee-primary-patel-israel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>told<\/a> the <em>Washington Post<\/em>. \u201cI think it\u2019s important that any call for a ceasefire should acknowledge that hostages are still being held.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Lee is not the only Democrat facing tough reelection prospects because of her stance on Israel. Other Squad members, including Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and Cori Bush (D-MO), are also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-key-races-to-watch-in-ohios-primary\/\" title=\"The Key Races To Watch In Ohio\u2019s Primary\">facing primary challengers<\/a> over their calls for a ceasefire \u2014 with some Democratic Jewish groups <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/2951078\/democratic-jewish-groups-coalesce-squad-member-challengers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>actively campaigning<\/a> against them. <\/p>\n<figure><figcaption>Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) stands for a portrait overlooking the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Monday, April 8, 2024. (AP Photo\/Gene J. Puskar)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Bowman has stirred anger among some pro-Israel groups for his repeated calls for a ceasefire and his vote against a resolution condemning support for Hamas and other terrorist organizations on college campuses. Bowman also voted against a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democratic-jewish-groups-coalesce-around-squad-member-challengers\/\" title=\"Democratic Jewish organizations unite in support of challengers to members of the 'Squad\">separate resolution condemning support<\/a> for Hamas and reaffirming U.S. support for Israel.<\/p>\n<p>Bowman\u2019s New York district, which includes southern Westchester County and a small part of the northern Bronx, has a large Jewish population, leading the Israel-Hamas war to become a central campaign matter.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><strong>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Bush has similarly sparked ire among pro-Israel groups for her calls for a ceasefire and her comments accusing Congress and the Biden administration of fueling the deaths in Gaza.<\/p>\n<p>Bowman\u2019s primary against Westchester County Executive George Latimer will take place in late June, while Bush will square off against attorney Wesley Bell in early August. Similar to Lee\u2019s race, both districts are blue, meaning the winners of the primary are expected to win their general elections in November.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>contacted spokespeople for both Lee and Patel\u2019s campaigns for comment.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Freshman Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) seeks crucial backing for re-election amid the Pennsylvania primary. The outcome will determine if Democrats advocating for Gaza ceasefire can overcome challenges. The tight race in Pennsylvania&#8217;s 12th District awaits a verdict<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2640,"featured_media":2227306,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/wex-s3.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24068065920345-1024x683.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2227305","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/wex-s3.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24068065920345-1024x683.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2227305","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2227305"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2227305\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2227306"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2227305"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2227305"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2227305"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}