House Democrat survives left-flank challenge as Bernie volunteer mounts insurgent bid

Rep. Jake Auchincloss defeated progressive challenger Jason Poulos in Massachusetts' 4th Congressional District Democratic primary on Tuesday, according to a Fox News report. Poulos, an AI policy researcher and former Bernie Sanders volunteer, criticized Auchincloss for his past support of military aid to Israel and ties to AIPAC, while advocating for Medicare-for-all, universal basic income, and taxes on corporate automation. Auchincloss, who has held the seat since 2021, campaigned on lowering housing and healthcare costs and addressing AI-driven economic disruption.

Rep. Jake Auchincloss advanced Tuesday against Jason Poulos in Massachusetts https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/us-regions/northeast/massachusetts ’ 4th Congressional District. Auchincloss has held his seat since 2021, facing his first Democratic primary challenge since winning the seat. Progressive challenger Poulos is an AI policy researcher who has been critical of Auchincloss regarding past support for military aid to Israel and ties to AIPAC https://www.foxnews.com/media/new-york-times-raises-eyebrows-referring-aipac-hard-right-pro-israel-group while calling for an end to U.S. military assistance to Israel https://www.foxnews.com/category/politics/defense . PROGRESSIVE WAVE CRASHES IN SUN BELT BATTLEGROUND AS MODERATE HOLDS HIS SEAT Poulos, who previously volunteered for Bernie Sanders’ campaign https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bernie-sanders-campaigns-controversial-michigan-senate-candidate , ran on Medicare-for-all, universal basic income, taxes on corporate automation, stronger unions, student-debt cancellation. He also wanted to reduce military spending and end U.S. military aid to Israel. While Auchincloss is endorsed by AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, he been critical of aspects of Israel's conduct in Gaza by saying some Israeli actions in 2025 "crossed lines" on humanitarian conditions. AIPAC is an pro-Israel influential lobbying group that has been criticized for advocating for U.S. military aid to Israel amid the war in Gaza. HOUSE DEMOCRATS FRACTURE BADLY OVER MASSIE AMENDMENT TO CUT $3.3B IN U.S. AID TO ISRAEL In July, Auchincloss voted with more than 100 House Democrats https://www.foxnews.com/category/democrats to eliminate $3.3 billion in U.S. military financing for Israel, while maintaining his support for the U.S.-Israel alliance. Auchincloss campaigned on lowering housing and healthcare costs, promoting economic growth and positioning Democrats to better confront the economic disruption caused by AI. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP Auchincloss, who succeeded Joe Kennedy III, comes from a prominent Boston medical family. He had previously been a registered Republican and worked on then-Gov. Charlie Baker’s campaign, a line his primary opponents used against him. He later returned to the Democratic Party.