CHICAGO: Niki Conforti, the Republican candidate for the Illinois 6th Congressional District, has told Arab News that she will not accept campaign funds from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

The powerful lobby group demands complete loyalty to Israel over Arab interests, donating hundreds of millions of dollars in each election, including nearly $300,000 to the district’s incumbent Democrat Sean Casten, according to the political group Track AIPAC.

“I’m not somebody who can be bought. I’ve made the commitment that I won’t take AIPAC money,” Conforti told Arab News. “First and foremost, I have to take care of the people of my district.”

Describing her views as being “America First,” she added: “I think we’ve given a lot of money to fund foreign wars. We need to turn that money internally to address mental health issues, to help the homeless, to help veterans, to lower crime. We have so many issues here at home where that money can be better spent.”

In Ukraine and the Middle East, “we need to work toward peace and stop the killing,” she said. “These are turning into perpetual wars and we need to really get respect in the regions, have accountability on both sides, and reach an agreement that everyone can adhere to and keep.”

A healthcare industry professional, Conforti said it is important that elected officials listen to all of the district’s residents regardless of political affiliation, race, ethnicity or religion.

“I’m a businesswoman. I’m going to listen to my constituents, whether we agree or not. Listening to my constituents is going to be very important to me,” she added.

The 6th District in Chicago’s western suburbs has a large concentration of Arab and Muslim voters, whose leaders have repeatedly complained that four-term incumbent Casten has rebuffed their views.

Conforti previously ran for the office twice, challenging Casten as the endorsed Republican in 2024, losing to him by about 30,000 of 363,000 votes cast.

Leaders of the Arab-American community have accused him of not being forceful enough in opposing Israel’s war in Gaza.

“Congressman Casten hasn’t seen fit to attend any of our events,” American Arab Chamber of Commerce President Hassan Nijem told Arab News. “It’s clear Casten isn’t interested in our views or our concerns, even though we’re a major constituency in the 6th Congressional District.”

Samir Khalil, founder of the Arab American Democracy Coalition, told Arab News: “Casten has been unresponsive to our community. He embraces a double standard, taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from AIPAC.

“He has sat back while our tax dollars have been used to fund Israel’s killing of Palestinians in Gaza and the total destruction of homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, mosques and churches.”

In the March 17 Republican primary, Conforti, 62, will face newcomer Skylar Duensing, 25, a protege of assassinated right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk.

Casten, 54, will face newcomer Joseph Ruzevich, 27, in the March 17 Democratic primary. Ruzevich has said he will not accept AIPAC money.

The winners of each primary will face off against each other on Nov. 3.

Nijem and Khalil both said the Arab-American community will oppose Casten in the March and November elections.

Casten did not respond to a request for comment from Arab News.