AIPAC celebrates “anti-Israel” Al Green losing primary
A powerful pro-Israel lobbying group has welcomed the defeat of a veteran Democratic lawmaker after a high-profile primary battle in Texas reshaped the political map and exposed wider divisions over Israel and U.S. politics.
Freshman Representative Christian Menefee defeated longtime Representative Al Green in the Democratic primary runoff in Texas’ 18th Congressional District on May 26, ending Green’s two‑decade run in Congress following a race triggered by Republican-led redistricting.
Key Points
- Menefee beat longtime incumbent Green in a Democratic primary runoff in Texas
- The race was triggered by GOP-led redistricting that forced both men into the same Houston district
- The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) congratulated Menefee in a post widely seen on X and described Green as “one of the most outspoken anti-Israel voices in Congress”
- Green’s loss ends a congressional tenure of more than 20 years
- The result sparked strong reactions online, including from pro-Trump commentators celebrating the outcome
Menefee defeated Green in a May 26 primary runoff in Texas’ 18th District after redistricting forced the two incumbents to compete for the same Houston seat.
The result removes a long-serving and outspoken critic of both President Donald Trump and Israeli policy from Congress, while highlighting how redistricting is reshaping Democratic politics.
Houston voters in the safely Democratic district are set to be represented by Menefee, with Green’s decades-long congressional career likely ending after the upset.
Newsweek reached out to Green via email outside of regular working hours on Wednesday morning to seek a response to AIPAC’s social media comments.
Why It Matters
The primary was the result of a mid‑decade redistricting effort by Texas Republicans that forced two Democratic incumbents into a rare head‑to‑head runoff.
At the same time, it has drawn attention to divisions within U.S. politics over Israel, as advocacy groups and voters increasingly scrutinize candidates’ positions.
A Rare Incumbent Showdown
The race between Menefee and Green was unusual from the outset.
Menefee, 38, is one of the newest members of Congress, having been sworn in earlier this year after winning a special election. Green, 78, had represented Texas in Congress since 2005 and was seeking a 12th term.
Neither candidate secured a majority in the March primary, sending the race to a runoff, where Menefee ultimately prevailed.
AIPAC Response and Israel Debate
AIPAC quickly weighed in on the result, posting a message on X that has been seen more than 400,000 times, congratulating Menefee and describing Green as “one of the most outspoken anti-Israel voices in Congress.”
Green had taken a series of positions critical of Israeli policy in recent years, including opposing certain military aid measures and supporting efforts related to Palestinian statehood, according to reporting on his record by Jewish Insider.
Those stances placed him at odds with pro-Israel advocacy groups and helped make the race a focal point in broader debates over U.S. support for Israel.
Trump Factor And Political Profile
Green was also widely known as one of Trump’s most vocal congressional critics.
He repeatedly introduced articles of impeachment and was twice removed from the House chamber during Trump addresses after disruptive protests.
Both candidates made opposition to Trump a central theme of their campaigns, with Menefee citing lawsuits filed against the administration during his tenure as Harris County attorney.
Money And Generational Change
The contest drew significant outside spending, including millions of dollars from a super PAC backed by cryptocurrency industry figures supporting Menefee.
Green criticized the influx of large donations, while Menefee said campaign finance laws should limit such spending.
The result has also been framed as a generational shift, with a younger lawmaker defeating a veteran figure in a district that has been represented by prominent Black lawmakers for decades.
MAGA Reaction Online
The outcome prompted a strong reaction from pro‑Trump commentators on social media, many of whom focused on Green’s attempts to impeach Trump and his confrontational protests.
One widely shared post by pro-Trump political commentator Eric Daugherty claimed Green “repeatedly tried and FAILED to impeach Donald Trump,” adding: “This is a great night,” alongside fire and clown emojis — language that amplified mocking and celebratory sentiment.
Prominent pro‑Trump influencer Gunther Eagleman also weighed in on the result, in a post on X that has been viewed more than 100,000 times on the platform.
In the post, Eagleman framed the outcome as a broader political shift within the Democratic Party, writing that “another old Dem dinosaur gets taken out” and describing Green’s defeat as a generational changing of the guard.
He argued that Menefee’s campaign message of “generational change” signaled what he characterized as a replacement of older Democratic figures with a new cohort, adding that Democrats were “eating their own, one primary at a time.”
The language used in the post — including phrases such as “body-slammed” and “dinosaur” — reflected a ridiculing and combative tone common among pro‑Trump online commentators reacting to the race.
Other posts referenced Green’s removal from Trump’s congressional address earlier this year, framing his defeat as political payback.
One, from user @northwoods8000, whose display name is “Teri/Save America” and has a profile picture of Trump’s failed assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, said: “Good riddance Al Green!”
These reactions highlight how the race—while a Democratic primary—is being interpreted through a broader national political lens, particularly among Trump’s supporters.
What Comes Next
The 18th District is considered safely Democratic, making Menefee the likely favorite to win the general election in November.
That would cement a rapid rise for the freshman lawmaker.
