Antonio Reynoso Calls it a Genocide but Still Attracts AIPAC Donors in Commie Corridor Primary Fight
JUDGE ST — Last cycle, hedge fund manager and Democratic megadonor John Petry donated $48,000 to Solidarity PAC, which boosts New York State legislative candidates that “value the American alliance with Israel” and opposes campaigns backed by the Democratic Socialists of America.
This cycle, he’s gotten involved in the Democratic primary playing out in the Commie Corridor. On May 18, Petry maxed-out his donation to Antonio Reynoso with $3,500.
In the second half of the Democratic primary in New York’s 7th congressional district, Reynoso received donations from several donors who have also supported AIPAC and Solidarity PAC.
The Brooklyn Borough President has called Israel’s actions in Gaza a “genocide” and vowed to vote against weapon shipments.
But so has his opponent: the DSA-backed Assemblywoman Claire Valdez. Her supporters say her longer record of criticizing Israel makes her a better fit to represent one of the most lefty districts in the country.
“The first time you called it a genocide was when you launched this congressional campaign,” Valdez told Reynoso during a candidate debate.
Reynoso has said that this is not a meaningful area of difference between the candidates.
“They need to find distinction,” Reynoso said in an interview this week on Breaking Points when asked about why it took him longer to use the word genocide. “I could have done that on October 8th and it wouldn’t have made a difference because I am not a DSA member. They only support DSA members.”
But the difference seems to matter to more than just DSA members. The prospect of his victory over a Mamdani-backed socialist seems to appeal to a handful of donors who have also given money to AIPAC and Solidarity PAC — organizations that are typically opposed to Israeli-critical politics.
James Shalom gave $1,000 to AIPAC on October 21, 2025 and then $3,500 to Reynoso’s campaign on December 25, 2025.
Jane Buckingham gave $1,000 to AIPAC on May 25, 2025 and then $500 to Reynoso’s campaign on March 6, 2026.
Elizabeth Velez has given $1,500 to AIPAC since 2022. On March 31, 2026, she gave $250 to Reynoso.
Blair Effron gave AIPAC $6,600 on November 11, 2025 and $1,000 to Reynoso on May 12, 2026.
Nicole Mutchnik, chair of the Anti-Defamation League board of directors, gave a maximum contribution of $3,500 to Reynoso on January 16, 2026.
News of the donations comes as Sara Forman, former executive director of Solidarity PAC, reposted Reynoso’s attack on Valdez earlier this week—seemingly supporting the Brooklyn Borough President.
“This is a desperate attempt by the Valdez campaign to muddy the waters by lying,” Reynoso told the Judge Street Journal in a statement. “We don’t take any AIPAC money, and she knows that.”
Early voting starts today and goes until primary day on June 23.
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Author’s note: Check out our story from this morning about Lis Smith, Cait Conley, Elliot Spitzer, and the mysterious dark money groups running free in NY-17.