Michigan Senate Candidate’s Fundraiser Under Scrutiny

In Washington, Abdul El-Sayed, a leftist U.S. Senate candidate from Michigan, is set to participate in a campaign fundraiser that’s co-sponsored by a lawyer with familial ties to a controversial past. This lawyer, Kelly Newman, is honoring her grandfather, who reportedly fought for Nazi Germany.

The event aims to support El-Sayed’s campaign in a primary battle against Rep. Haley Stevens for the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat being vacated by Senator Gary Peters.

Newman faced significant backlash in 2024 when she paid tribute to her grandfather’s military service on Veterans Day.

In a 2024 Facebook post, Newman shared a personal reflection about her grandfather, Albert Neumann, who served as a soldier for Germany during both World Wars. She mentioned, “An interesting story that I don’t really talk about, but my grandfather was on the German side in World War I and World War II.”

She added that after Germany’s defeat in World War II, he escaped to Brazil and later settled in Detroit, where he worked hard to support his family despite the language barrier.

Newman described her grandfather as “one of my best friends” who accepted her during her struggles with her identity. She argued that his story exemplifies the potential for change and love.

Following the controversy, Newman deleted her original post and later issued an apology, suggesting that Stevens’ campaign was responsible for bringing it to light. She disputed characterizations of her grandfather as a Nazi, indicating that he served in the Wehrmacht instead.

Various experts and institutions, including the Holocaust Memorial Museum, have criticized the notion that German soldiers did not support the Nazi regime.

In a Facebook post from March, she extended her apologies, stating, “I sincerely apologize to those who were hurt by my posts years ago. That was never my intention.” She insisted her goal was simply to share a personal story.

Moreover, Newman clarified that while her grandfather was indeed a soldier for Germany, he was not associated with Nazi ideology.

Previously, Newman had endorsed the campaign of state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who recently withdrew from her Senate bid. McMorrow had not expressed support for either El-Sayed or Stevens following her exit.

The primary election in Michigan is scheduled for August 4th, as El-Sayed and Stevens compete to fill the seat vacated by Peters.

El-Sayed’s campaign did not provide a comment on the matter, but a representative mentioned to Jewish Insider that the event organizers have historically supported various Democratic candidates across the state, including Congressman Stevens, adding that they all denounce Nazi ideology.