Jewish Democrats in Michigan weigh crossing party lines after El-Sayed's Senate primary win

Abdul El-Sayed's narrow primary victory over Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan's Democratic Senate race is prompting some Jewish Democratic leaders in the state to consider supporting the Republican nominee, Mike Rogers, in November.

Several Jewish Democrats have indicated they will cross party lines, citing concerns about El-Sayed's rhetoric toward Israel and what they characterize as indifference to antisemitism. Michael Horowitz, a Jewish community leader and Detroit businessman who supported Stevens, told Jewish Insider: "I cant vote for El-Sayed." He cited El-Sayed's association with Hasan Piker, an antisemitic Twitch streamer, and said he was "leaning strongly to Rogers."

Hannan Lis, a Democratic fundraiser and Jewish leader, confirmed he would vote for Rogers if El-Sayed won the nomination, noting he knows "many" Jewish Democrats planning the same. Dennis Bernard, a Jewish leader who backed both candidates in their respective primaries, said Rogers fundraisers are "targeting historical Jewish Dems" With efforts described as "co-led" With Jewish Democratic donors.

An anonymous Democratic fundraiser said he was "absolutely certain" That "several large Jewish Dem donors" Will support Rogers and predicted "there will be fundraisers for him hosted by high-profile Jewish Dems."

Rogers' campaign has sought to court alienated Jewish Democrats. His spokesperson said the campaign was "beginning to see more and more Jewish Democrats coming to us who feel abandoned by their party" And that "Mike Rogers stands with the Jewish community in Michigan and across the country."

The Jewish Democratic Council of America stopped short of endorsing El-Sayed, while the Anti-Defamation League and American Jewish Committee released statements condemning him. AIPAC's super PAC, which spent over $30 million backing Stevens, indicated it intends to support Rogers in the general election.

Some Jewish Democrats have stated they will not vote for El-Sayed. Others said party loyalty outweighed their concerns, with one activist saying he was "leaning toward voting for El-Sayed while holding my nose."

Michigan state Rep. Noah Arbit, a Jewish Democrat, said "Abdul's rhetoric has been alarming and dangerous for my community" And called for El-Sayed to "repair the harm he has caused."