CHICAGO: Arab Americans running in several Illinois primary elections fell short of their goals on Tuesday, but so did candidates supported with millions of dollars in campaign contributions from pro-Israel Political Action Committees.
In primary elections, voters select the candidates who will represent their political parties separately, Democrats or Republicans, in general elections.
Several of the contests took place in communities with large Arab and Muslim populations concerned about wars in the Middle East. But in some cases, other issues appeared to determine election results.
In the 7th Congressional District, Palestinian-American Democratic candidate Reed Showalter lost decisively, running in eighth place in a 13-candidate field and receiving only 5.92 percent of the vote.
Democrat Melissa Conyears-Ervin, who received more than $5 million from pro-Israel PACs, also lost, coming in second with only 14.11 percent of the vote.
