The pro Israel lobbying group AIPAC can still point to a long list of winners from Tuesday's midterm elections, but most of the money it and allied committees spent went to candidates who were defeated, according to an analysis by a foreign policy think tank.

The Quincy Institute estimates that of about $84 million spent by AIPAC, its super PAC the United Democracy Project and linked groups, around $55 million backed losing candidates. Its executive vice president argued that some candidates now see the group's money as a liability rather than an asset.

AIPAC said on the day after the vote that 234 candidates it supported, from both parties, had won. A tracking group found pro Israel committees involved in at least 32 of 35 Senate contests, spending more than $100,000 in 26 of them, with 21 of those candidates winning. AIPAC said its members would become more politically active, highlighting its backing for Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries.

The costliest setback came in Michigan. About $30 million was spent on Representative Haley Stevens, who lost the Democratic Senate primary, and a further $9 million reportedly backed Republican Mike Rogers, who was beaten by Abdul El Sayed, a vocal critic of Israel. In Maine, more than $4.8 million supported Senator Susan Collins, who lost to Democrat Troy Jackson. In California, over $6 million failed to stop Aisha Wahab from winning a House seat.

In Texas, James Talarico won a Senate seat by more than 12 points after openly refusing AIPAC money and voicing disgust at the war in Gaza.

The group had wins too, notably Wesley Bell in Missouri and George Latimer in New York, both helped by earlier primary spending. AIPAC said in October it would stop endorsing and giving directly to candidates after this cycle. A rival group, J Street, said it backed more than 200 candidates with over $13 million.