Left-Wing DSA-Aligned House Candidate Beaten by Moderate Dem Incumbent

Newkirk called for ending U.S. military assistance to Israel and imposing an arms embargo, while repeatedly criticizing Stanton for receiving support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and other pro-Israel political organizations.

The disagreement intensified shortly before the primary when Stanton voted against an amendment offered by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., that would have eliminated $3.3 billion in security assistance to Israel from a State Department appropriations measure.

Stanton defended his decision by arguing that eliminating the assistance would undermine U.S. efforts to counter Iran and destabilize the region.

At the same time, Stanton voted against the broader State Department funding bill and has publicly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and aspects of the Israeli government’s policies.

Newkirk tried to make those differences a defining issue.

He accused Stanton of being too closely aligned with AIPAC and argued that Democrats should take a substantially harder position toward Israel.

Newkirk nevertheless rejected accusations of antisemitism and publicly condemned antisemitic violence. After two Israeli Embassy employees were killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington in 2025, he said he stood with Jewish Americans against antisemitism while continuing to advocate for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages.

The primary also highlighted broader ideological differences inside the Democratic Party.

Stanton has generally positioned himself as a more moderate Democrat willing to cross party lines on selected issues. He supported the Laken Riley Act, for example, while also criticizing elements of the Trump administration’s immigration policies and calling for greater oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Newkirk argued that Democrats needed a more confrontational approach toward President Donald Trump and accused Stanton of being insufficiently aggressive in opposing the administration.