Michigan Senate hopeful Mike Rogers targets Jewish Democrats over opponent's Israel stance
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Republican candidate Mike Rogers is courting Jewish and moderate Democratic voters in Michigan, criticizing Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed’s comments on Israel and his association with streamer Hasan Piker.
Republican former congressman Mike Rogers is seeking to attract Jewish and centrist Democratic voters in Michigan ahead of the 2024 Senate race. Rogers, who lost a statewide race by about 20,000 votes in 2022, says discontent with Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed’s criticism of Israel and his ties to online personality Hasan Piker is creating an opening for crossover 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," adding that he believes El-Sayed has shown contempt for the Jewish community. Another Jewish voter, identified only as Stacy, said the Democratic Party has moved too far left and that El-Sayed’s campaign “has been campaigning by putting a target on all Jews' backs.”
El-Sayed, an epidemiologist and former health department director, has described Israel’s actions in Gaza as "bloodthirsty" and questioned unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel. He has also said he stands in solidarity with Jewish people and condemns antisemitism. His communications director, Roxie Richner, emphasized that El-Sayed differentiates between criticism of Israel and antisemitism and maintains dialogue with Jewish leaders.
Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus endorsement chair Joan Lowenstein said her group will not endorse a Republican, noting a split among Jewish voters: some cannot support El-Sayed because of his remarks, while others prefer a Democratic Senate seat. Republican strategist Michael Schostak suggested that flipping a majority of the state’s roughly 70,000 Jewish voters could shift the race by about 100,000 votes.
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.