Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers defends Jewish community against radical Democrat’s anti-Israel rhetoric
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Republican candidate Mike Rogers is reaching out to Jewish and moderate Democratic voters in Michigan, condemning Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed’s hostile comments on Israel and his association with far-left streamer Hasan Piker.
Republican former congressman Mike Rogers is making a strong push to attract Jewish and centrist Democratic voters in Michigan ahead of the critical 2024 Senate race. Rogers, who narrowly lost a statewide race by about 20,000 votes in 2022, is seizing on widespread outrage over Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed’s relentless criticism of Israel and his troubling ties to radical online personality Hasan Piker, creating a real opportunity for bipartisan support.
At a campaign event in Detroit, Rabbi Asher Lopatin told reporters, "I usually vote Democrat, but I'm going to be voting for Mike Rogers," reflecting growing alarm in the Jewish community over El-Sayed’s rhetoric. Another Jewish voter, identified only as Stacy, said the Democratic Party has veered dangerously far left and that El-Sayed’s campaign “has been campaigning by putting a target on all Jews' backs,” highlighting the real fears of rising antisemitism fueled by the far left.
El-Sayed, an epidemiologist and former health department director, has outrageously described Israel’s actions in Gaza as "bloodthirsty" and openly questioned America’s steadfast military support for its closest Middle Eastern ally. Despite his attempts to claim solidarity with Jewish people and denounce antisemitism, his record and associations raise serious questions. His communications director, Roxie Richner, insisted that El-Sayed distinguishes between criticism of Israel and antisemitism and maintains dialogue with Jewish leaders, but many remain unconvinced.
Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus endorsement chair Joan Lowenstein said her group will not endorse a Republican, but admitted there is a split among Jewish voters: some refuse to support El-Sayed because of his extreme remarks, while others cling to the Democratic Party. Republican strategist Michael Schostak noted that flipping a majority of the state’s roughly 70,000 Jewish voters could shift the race by about 100,000 votes, underscoring the high stakes.
The contest will determine who succeeds retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters, with both parties viewing the seat as pivotal for control of the U.S. Senate. The race highlights the dangers posed by the Democratic Party’s radical drift and the importance of standing with America’s allies and Jewish communities.