AIPAC Considers Renewed Investment to Defeat Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan Senate Race
Following a narrow primary victory by Abdul El-Sayed, a vocal critic of Israel who supports a full arms embargo, the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC is contemplating investing tens of millions of dollars to unseat him in the upcoming November general election. AIPAC had previously spent $32 million backing Democratic House member Haley Stevens in the Michigan Senate Democratic primary, but El-Sayed won by a slim margin.
According to the New York Times, AIPAC is now exploring the possibility of supporting Republican candidate Mike Rogers in the general election, marking a significant shift for the organization, which has traditionally maintained a bipartisan stance and only began federal election involvement in 2022. Rogers has consistently expressed strong support for Israel, contrasting with El-Sayed's campaign focus on opposition to Israel and calls to end U.S. funding.
AIPAC spokeswoman Darin Souza emphasized the group's determination to ensure voters reject El-Sayed and his "radical and anti-Israel agenda" in November. However, political committee spokesman Patrick Dorton clarified that no official decision has been made yet. Reports indicate AIPAC had approximately $80 million available as of late June.
El-Sayed, in his victory speech, sought to appeal to Jewish voters by affirming his commitment to their security, equating it with his dedication to his daughters' safety. He also criticized AIPAC, urging the group to "burn its money" in the general election. Supporters of AIPAC have called for intensified efforts, with Sam Markstein of the Republican Jewish Coalition stating, "The days of being told to be quiet and nice are over."
This development occurs amid shifting Democratic attitudes toward AIPAC, with recent polls showing nearly half of Michigan Democrats hold a negative view of the group. Additionally, pro-Israel critical candidates have won Democratic primaries in New York, California, and Illinois. AIPAC is also considering support for Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine but is unlikely to invest heavily in both races. Meanwhile, J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami warned that backing Rogers could be "political malpractice," arguing that further AIPAC spending might alienate Democratic voters from supporting Israel.
