Former Rep. Jason Lewis Jason Mark LewisThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump and Biden vie for Minnesota | Early voting begins in four states | Blue state GOP governors back Susan Collins GOP Senate candidate says Trump, Republicans will surprise in Minnesota Tina Smith wins Democratic Senate primary in Minnesota MORE (R-Minn.), who is running for Senate in Minnesota, said in 2013 that the Republican Party had "dual loyalties" to Israel, according to CNN.

The U.S.'s continued support of Israel, Lewis said on a radio show in February 2013, was due to a "very strong American Jewish lobby," and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. He added that many in the party viewed Israel as the "51st state."

ADVERTISEMENT

Lewis's comments were backing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Charles (Chuck) Timothy HagelWhile our foes deploy hypersonic weapons, Washington debates about funding Hillicon Valley: Democrats request counterintelligence briefing | New pressure for election funding | Republicans urge retaliation against Chinese hackers National security leaders, advocacy groups urge Congress to send election funds to states MORE, who underwent scrutiny during his 2013 confirmation process for his use of the phrase "Jewish lobby" in 2006, The Washington Post reported then.

When questioned about his past words, Lewis called inquiries "pathetic" and "worn-out."

"Actions speak louder than words, and the action that Congressman Lewis took in the 115th Congress to strengthen and support the U.S.- Israeli relationship is virtually unmatched, evidenced by his voting record," Lewis's campaign manager Tom Szymanski said in an email to The Hill. "The voters of Minnesota will see right through these false attacks next November."

Lewis then called out Rep. Ilhan Omar Ilhan OmarOmar urges Democrats to focus on nonvoters over 'disaffected Trump voters' Omar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' MORE (D-Minn.), characterizing her criticisms of the country's relationship with Israel "genuinely anti-Israel."

Lewis is one of two candidates campaigning for the Republican nominee and would face Sen. Tina Smith Tina Flint SmithThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power Credit union group to spend million on Senate, House races Health officials tell public to trust in science MORE (D-Minn.) in the general election. Smith won a special election earlier this year and is serving out the remainder of former Sen. Al Franken Alan (Al) Stuart FrankenGOP Senate candidate says Trump, Republicans will surprise in Minnesota Peterson faces fight of his career in deep-red Minnesota district Getting tight — the psychology of cancel culture MORE's term.