Bruce Leon, a leader in Chicago’s Orthodox Jewish community and the 50th Ward Democratic Committeeman is suspending his campaign for Illinois’ 9th Congressional district, Evanston Now has learned.

The decision comes after weeks of pressure from the American Israel Political Action Committee to force Leon out of the race, in an effort to consolidate the more conservative Orthodox Jewish community behind State Sen. Laura Fine.

The effort was first reported by Evanston Now on Dec. 19, after a private meeting in Chicago leaders in the Agudath Israel of Illinois organization had with with a top AIPAC official on Dec. 11.

Leon confirmed he’s suspending his campaign for “a week” on Tuesday night. Candidates have until Jan. 8 to remove their names from the March 17 ballot.

The Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday that Fine had continued to avoid directly answering questions Monday about AIPAC’s support for her campaign. 

Leon told the Tribune that AIPAC, the nation’s largest pro-Israel lobbying group, had successfully pressured leaders in the Orthodox Jewish community, many who had previously endorsed him, to push him out of the race.