Maura Sullivan has received 150 donations from donors who also gave to AIPAC-linked groups, totaling more than $296,000 — about one-tenth of her campaign fundraising. Rival Stefany Shaheen has far fewer overlapping donors. Sullivan's campaign says the contributors are personal contacts and insists she would not accept an AIPAC endorsement. Polling shows many voters undecided and a voter-testing poll is already probing messages that paint Sullivan as either AIPAC-aligned or a veteran who understands the cost of war.
AIPAC-Linked Donors Pour Nearly $300K Into Maura Sullivan’s New Hampshire Primary Bid
Maura Sullivan, a former Pentagon official, is seen as one of two leading contenders for the Democratic nomination in New Hampshire's 1st District.via Associated Press
A leading Democratic contender in New Hampshire's open 1st Congressional District, Maura Sullivan, has received unusually large support from donors who also give to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) or affiliated super PACs. A HuffPost review of Federal Election Commission records found 150 donations from individuals who have also contributed to AIPAC-linked groups, totaling more than $296,000.
Donor Overlap and Fundraising
Although AIPAC has not formally endorsed Sullivan, the overlap in contributors stands out: the $296,000 represents roughly one-tenth of Sullivan's more than $3 million haul to date. By contrast, rival Stefany Shaheen — a former Portsmouth city councilor and daughter of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen — has received just nine donations from AIPAC-linked contributors, totaling $23,150.
Campaign Response
'Maura has not received any money from AIPAC and would not accept its endorsement if offered,' said Emmett Avery, a spokesman for Sullivan. 'Maura stands firmly with the Israeli people, but she is deeply upset by Netanyahu's conduct throughout this war. She believes there is a full-blown humanitarian crisis in Gaza because of his actions. The Netanyahu government's assault on Gaza and illegal settlement activities in the West Bank necessitate a full reevaluation of the U.S.–Israel security relationship. There can no longer be a blank check for offensive weapons to Israel.'
Avery added that 'the 700,000 people of New Hampshire's First District will always be Maura's north star on foreign policy and every other issue,' and said Sullivan would press for peace and a two-state solution if elected.
Polling, Messaging Tests and Local Stakes
Campaign operatives see the donor overlap as a potential vulnerability. HuffPost obtained screenshots of a voter-testing poll in New Hampshire that presents competing messages: one arguing Sullivan is 'in AIPAC's pocket' because of roughly $300,000 in related donations, and the other emphasizing Sullivan's military service and denying direct AIPAC funding. Public polling remains limited — a late-June St. Anselm College poll put Shaheen at 22% and Sullivan at 15%, with 47% undecided — leaving the contest highly fluid.
National Context
Israel's assault on Gaza after the Oct. 7 massacre has reshaped debates inside the Democratic Party. Democratic voters and many lawmakers have become more skeptical of Israel and of AIPAC's influence: more than 100 House Democrats voted earlier this summer to cut off some or all aid to Israel. Reporting has also shown AIPAC and allied donors sometimes channeling money through other groups to obscure their role in Democratic primaries.
Other Financial and Political Ties
Shaheen is not entirely free of pro-Israel ties. Her mother, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, has a long history of engaging with AIPAC and its endorsements, and Stefany Shaheen received a $2,000 contribution from Norman Brownstein, a longtime AIPAC vice president. A super PAC that has spent nearly $750,000 in support of Shaheen, Article One PAC, is linked to a joint fundraising committee that got a $345,000 donation from Robert Granieri, a major supporter of pro-Israel causes; Article One has also supported other pro-Israel congressional nominees.
What’s At Stake
The seat is open because Rep. Chris Pappas is running for the U.S. Senate. Democrats are favored to hold the district, though it is competitive: the district was carried narrowly in 2024. With a large share of voters still undecided and national attention on pro-Israel funding and influence, donor connections could be an influential factor in the Sept. 8 primary.
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