Texas Businessman Funds PAC Backing Three New York House Candidates

A Texas businessman donated $400,000 to a super PAC that plans to spend $2 million on television, streaming, and digital ads for three New York congressional candidates. Hussein "Sam" Mahrouq, owner of Enterprises International, which operates AutoMax and Dollar Rent-A-Car, gave the funds to American Priorities PAC.

The organization formed earlier this year as a counter to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

The PAC announced Tuesday it would back candidates Darializa Avila Chevalier, Claire Valdez, and Brad Lander. All three candidates received endorsements from the mayor. American Priorities PAC is expected to begin running ads on streaming and digital platforms, including one featuring activist Mahmoud Khalil and his wife.

Mahrouq, who says he was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Jordan, has given tens of thousands of dollars over seven years to several candidates and PACs critical of Israel. He also donated $2,100 directly to the mayor's campaign last June. New York-based businessman Mohammad Waqas contributed $1 million to the PAC after serving as the top donor to another pro-mayor committee.

Silicon Valley investor Omer Hasan gave $1 million as well. Mahrouq previously donated $6,000 to Citizens Against AIPAC Corruption PAC in 2025 and $1,000 last year to Anti-Zionist America PAC.

The three candidates have taken pro-Palestinian positions.

Avila Chevalier protested alongside Khalil at Columbia University and wrote in 2020 that "Israel doesn't exist!" The Israel-Palestine issue has drawn attention in one of the three races. The other two races have focused less on international policy.

PAC treasurer Mark Hanna is based in Brooklyn.

The PAC is managed by Hannah Fertig, a strategist previously with the Justice Democrats group.