PHILADELPHIA — Ala Stanford, a pediatric surgeon running in a crowded primary to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans in Congress, received a significant boost this week from a national group spending a staggering sum of money to promote her campaign.

The super PAC, called 314 Action Fund, is a progressive organization that backs “pro-science” candidates and recruits doctors to run for federal office. Their television ads that hit the air Wednesday tout Stanford’s work during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when she led efforts to vaccinate thousands of Philadelphians.

314 Action is spending $1.4 million to run the television commercials, the first ad blitz in the race thus far, according to the media tracking firm AdImpact. The organization, funded by prominent scientists and physicians, also spent tens of thousands of dollars to place additional pro-Stanford ads on the radio and online.

That money funds ads running over just the next three weeks, according to AdImpact. The group, which has raised $70 million over the last decade and can spend unlimited funds, says it may put up to $2.5 million into its effort backing Stanford in the solidly Democratic district.

That could dwarf what any of the campaigns in the race are able to spend on advertising.

As of the start of the year, State Sen. Sharif Street, the former chair of the state Democratic Party, had the most money in the primary field with more than $500,000 in the bank, according to the most recently available campaign finance reports. Stanford had nearly $400,000 on hand — $250,000 of which she gave to her own campaign.

Erik Polyak, 314 Action Fund’s executive director, said in a statement that competing in Democratic primaries for open seats has been a “longstanding part” of the decade-old group’s strategy.

“Dr. Stanford understands Philly, and the science and the stakes of the race,” he said. “314 Action is committed to supporting her race to ensure more doctors and scientists are elected to stand up to (President Donald) Trump and RFK Jr. and restore health care for Pennsylvanians.”

Stanford has made improving access to health care the cornerstone of her bid for Congress. Her campaign said in a statement that her “values align” with 314 Action.

“As Donald Trump works to systemically destroy America’s medical research, science, and vaccine programs while kicking 300,000 Pennsylvanians off Medicaid, groups like 314 Action are critical partners,” the campaign said.

Other candidates may make the ad buy from 314 Action a campaign issue.

During an unrelated campaign in 2024, the group received a $1 million donation from a PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, federal records show.

Political observers have speculated for months whether AIPAC — which spends millions of dollars every year to support pro-Israel candidates and oppose those it sees as hostile to the country — would spend money to attempt to influence the race in the 3rd District, which covers much of Philadelphia.

However, 314 Action has at times been on the opposite side of AIPAC. For example, the group is currently backing Illinois congressional candidate Daniel Biss, a Democrat and mathematician who says he’s been the target of a barrage of AIPAC-funded attack ads.

Pro-Israel groups and the war in Gaza have been issues in the Philadelphia congressional race. State Rep. Chris Rabb, a progressive Democrat, has been outspoken about AIPAC, calling it a “racist organization” during a candidates forum in January.

Rabb’s campaign said in a statement Wednesday that “reporting has shown AIPAC and 314 Action working together.”

“AIPAC is a Trump-aligned organization trying to defeat candidates willing to name a genocide in Gaza,” Rabb’s campaign said. “Any candidate should reject and denounce their support, particularly given the ongoing genocide and the war in Iran.”

Stanford says she is in favor of a two-state solution and has said the U.S. should not support wars “that harm and kill children and families.”

In addition to health care advocacy groups, Stanford has been endorsed by Evans to succeed him in Congress.

Street has been endorsed by the Democratic city committee and a powerful coalition of labor unions. Rabb is backed by a handful of progressive organizations, such as Reclaim Philadelphia and the Democratic Socialists of America.

Mayor Cherelle Parker, who leads a high-turnout ward in the district and whose endorsement carries considerable weight, has not yet backed a candidate in the race. She is expected to weigh in before the election.

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