Michigan Senate Primary Tests Jewish Democrats' Loyalty as AIPAC Invests Record $30M

The Candidates and Their Positions

The Aug. 4 Democratic primary has narrowed to a two-way contest between Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Michigan) and Abdul El-Sayed, a former county health official and progressive favorite.

Stevens, a four-term congresswoman, has long positioned herself as a "proud pro-Israel Democrat." She once said during a Hanukkah celebration that "Israel comes to me in my dreams." However, she has also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating during a debate that he "has not made us safer, has not brought us closer to peace, and he's endangered Jews here in America and around the world."

El-Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants, has called Israel's military campaign in Gaza a "genocide," described the Israeli government as "evil," and argued that Israel is "just as evil" as Hamas. He has questioned whether Israel should exist as a Jewish state and suggested that Democrats who support Israel do so only because of financial motives from AIPAC. If elected, he would become the first Muslim U.S. senator.

AIPAC's Unprecedented Investment

AIPAC's nearly $30 million in spending has reshaped the race. Most voters are unlikely to realize many of the ads blanketing Michigan's airwaves are funded by AIPAC — they never mention Israel, instead highlighting Stevens' work on manufacturing and featuring former President Barack Obama.

Former Rep. Andy Levin, who lost his House seat to Stevens in 2022 after AIPAC spent millions opposing him (Levin is Jewish), noted: "AIPAC never runs on AIPAC. They never even talk about Israel and Palestine. If you're just a voter and you see a million ads, you don't know who paid for it."

The Jewish Democratic Dilemma

Dennis Bernard, national chair of government relations for the Jewish Federations of North America, captured the sentiment of many Jewish Democratic leaders: "There are leaders in our Jewish community who are longtime, lifelong Democrats and Democratic fundraisers who are very concerned with where their party's going. And if this is the case, they've made it clear, both financially and with their vote, that they would support Mike Rogers in the event El-Sayed wins the primary."

Shimon Levy, an Israeli-American entrepreneur from Detroit, was more explicit: "El-Sayed has done nothing but put Jews at risk and in danger, and through his words has been so poisonous and has ostracized and villainized, single-handedly, the Jews of Southeast Michigan."

However, not all Jewish Democrats agree. Jessica "Decky" Alexander, the Michigan Jewish Democratic caucus chair, stated she would back El-Sayed over Rogers, arguing that "the Supreme Court is too critical to not support a Democrat."

The Temple Israel Attack

The stakes were underscored this spring when Temple Israel in West Bloomfield — the largest Reform congregation in the country — was attacked by a Michigan resident whose family members were killed when Israel targeted a Hezbollah outpost in Lebanon. El-Sayed sparked controversy by saying of the attacker, "Hurt people hurt people," which critics felt minimized the crime.

The temple later sent an email to congregants stating, "This year, antisemitism is on the ballot," concluding that "silence is not a choice we can make right now."

Who This Affects Most

This race affects Jewish voters nationwide who see Michigan as a bellwether for the Democratic Party's direction on Israel. It also impacts Arab American and Muslim voters in Michigan, who represent a significant voting bloc. The outcome could influence how both parties approach U.S.-Israel policy and campaign finance reform in future elections.

When is the Michigan Senate primary?

The primary election takes place on August 4, 2026. The general election will follow in November.

Why are some Jewish Democrats threatening to vote Republican?

They see Abdul El-Sayed's criticism of Israel and his past statements — including calling Israel "just as evil" as Hamas and questioning Israel's right to exist — as an existential threat to Jewish safety and the U.S.-Israel relationship. Some say they have become "single-issue voters" on antisemitism and Jewish security.

How much has AIPAC spent on this race?

AIPAC and its affiliated groups have spent close to $30 million backing Haley Stevens, making it the largest single-race investment in the organization's history. Combined with other outside groups, total spending to support Stevens has reached nearly $50 million.

Who is Mike Rogers?

Mike Rogers is the presumptive Republican nominee for the Michigan Senate seat. He previously served as a U.S. Representative from Michigan and lost to Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin in 2024 by fewer than 20,000 votes. He is unopposed in the GOP primary.

What would an El-Sayed victory mean for the general election?

Several Jewish Democratic fundraisers have said they would redirect their financial support to Rogers if El-Sayed wins the primary. This could significantly impact Democratic fundraising and voter turnout in a critical battleground state.

Do you think AIPAC's record spending will pay off, or will grassroots organizing prevail in Michigan? Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!

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*Compiled by Yanuki using the latest trends and data.*

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