Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss won a Democratic primary to represent parts of Chicago and its suburbs, beating back attacks from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in a closely watched race.

Biss emerged from a crowded field, with his stiffest competition coming from researcher Kat Abughazaleh and state Sen. Laura Fine, AIPAC’s preferred candidate. The pro-Israel lobbying group spent more than $7.5 million in the race, attacking Biss and Abughazaleh while boosting Fine.

The race, which took place in one of the country’s most Jewish districts, became a bellwether for AIPAC’s strength and the popularity of U.S. military support for Israel within the Democratic Party.

Progressives will cheer the victory for Biss, who had the backing of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)

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