Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) dismissed the notion on Wednesday that campaign spending in her favor by AIPAC’s super PAC  backfired in her failed bid for U.S. Senate, and defended the pro-Israel group as “Jewish Americans” participating in the democratic process.

Stevens, who lost the Michigan Democratic Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed last week, has faced scrutiny from progressive Democrats over her support for Israel and the role of AIPAC in supporting her campaign. Following her primary loss, Stevens endorsed El-Sayed, who is now facing former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) in the November general election.

Asked by CNN’s Pamela Brown whether AIPAC’s involvement ultimately hurt her campaign, Stevens remained firm.

“No, I don’t,” Stevens said. “I mean, I think that there [were] a lot of people talking about it, and they didn’t love it because maybe they don’t understand what the group is. AIPAC is a group of six million Jewish Americans, a lot of Jewish moms whose kiddos spend time in Israel.” 

“They’re scared, just like a lot of people are scared, for a variety of different reasons here in America,” she continued. “They’re really good Americans who just care about democracy and freedom.”

Stevens said she remains “proud of the campaign I have run,” as well as the “friendships and relationships” she maintains within AIPAC, asserting that the pro-Israel lobbying group, “just like some of the other large groups, is going to continue to exist.”

“Obviously, I don’t work for the organization, so in terms of how they pitch themselves and sell themselves, that — I will leave that to them,” Stevens said, noting that “a lot of people are deeply frustrated that [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu has failed to give us peace.”

The congresswoman emphasized, however, that AIPAC was not the only outside entity involved in the primary, noting that “a bunch of Democratic money got involved, too” and that “Abdul also had super PACs and outside monies and all that going on.”

Addressing whether Jewish voters might still harbor concerns over El-Sayed, despite her decision to rally behind him, Stevens acknowledged that “there’s going to be a private and personal decision made by Michigan’s Jewish community.”

“I deeply respect and cherish the relationship that I have with Michigan’s Jewish population. I am a Zionist Democrat. I’m saying that live on CNN. I’m standing by the Jewish community,” Stevens said.

However, Stevens emphasized that Michiganders ultimately “don’t want to see this seat go to a Republican.”

“He’s [El-Sayed] going to do a ton more for healthcare than Mike Rogers ever will. He will stand up for women’s health as well,” Stevens. “And he has rejected socialism, which I appreciate.”