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 has prompted several Jewish Democratic leaders in the state to consider supporting Republican nominee Mike Rogers in November. The leaders cite 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, said "I cant vote for El-Sayed," Pointing to El-Sayed's association with antisemitic Twitch streamer Hasan Piker. Horowitz confirmed he was "leaning strongly to Rogers," A former congressman.

Hannan Lis, a Democratic fundraiser and Jewish leader, said his objections to El-Sayed's stances on Israel superseded concerns about Republicans gaining the Michigan seat held by retiring Sen. Gary Peters. Dennis Bernard, a Jewish leader who backed both Rogers and Stevens in their respective primaries, noted that "the word is out on a few Rogers fundraisers targeting historical Jewish Dems." An anonymous Democratic fundraiser said he was "absolutely certain" That "several large Jewish Dem donors" Would support Rogers, and that he had been contacted by Rogers surrogates within hours of the primary result.

Rogers' campaign said it was seeing "more and more Jewish Democrats coming to us who feel abandoned by their party." The Republican Jewish Coalition called El-Sayed "a direct threat to Michigan's Jewish community" And urged Jewish voters to support Rogers.

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 supporting Stevens, signaled it intends to back Rogers.

El-Sayed addressed Jewish voters Wednesday, saying "my commitment to your safety, my commitment to Jewish safety, is the same commitment that I have to the safety of my own daughters." However, he continued criticizing Israel, calling it "bloodthirsty" And dismissing critiques limited to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

Some Jewish Democrats said they would not vote for El-Sayed or would leave their ballots blank, while others indicated they would support him despite reservations. State Rep. Noah Arbit said El-Sayed's "rhetoric has been alarming and dangerous for my community."