Jewish Democrats in Metro Detroit Consider Supporting Republican Mike Rogers

Jewish Democratic donors in Metro Detroit are reportedly planning to raise funds for Republican candidate Mike Rogers as a precautionary measure in case far-left U.S. Senator Abdul El-Sayed wins the Michigan Democratic primary on August 4, according to a recent report.

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency noted that sources close to Rep. Haley Stevens’ (D-Mich.) campaign indicated several well-known Jewish figures in Metro Detroit, who have traditionally supported Democrats, are organizing fundraisers for Rogers. Meanwhile, others intend to back El-Sayed if he secures the nomination.

Dennis Barnard, national government relations chair for the Jewish Federations of North America and a resident of Metro Detroit, mentioned that these donors have made their position clear in the event El-Sayed prevails.

“We have leaders in our Jewish community who are longtime Democrats and fundraisers, and they’re quite worried about where their party is heading,” Bernard remarked. “If this scenario unfolds, it would signal both financial and voting support for Mike Rogers from us.”

Bernard added that Jewish Democrats in Detroit have reached out to him about social events, hoping to meet Rogers.

“This is a unique moment, and we need to focus on one major issue,” he said. “That issue is anti-Semitism, our identity, and Israel. We’re putting political parties in the background and prioritizing our community and country.”

Joel Tauber, a founding chairman of JFNA who has hosted former President Bill Clinton, stated he would rather leave the Senate seat empty than vote for El-Sayed. At 92 years old, he shared his reluctance to support the Republican Party, which he feels is dominated by Trump.

Neil Gollosh, a former commercial mortgage banker from West Bloomfield, expressed a strong preference as well.

“If it came down to Mike Rogers or El-Sayed, I would go with Rogers,” Gollosh said. “I might not donate, but I will definitely vote for him and encourage my friends to do the same.”

El-Sayed has questioned Israel’s status as a Jewish state and suggested that Democrats’ support for Israel is more about economic benefits than genuine concern. Following a violent incident at the Temple of Israel in West Bloomfield in March, he condemned the attack but remarked, “hurt people hurt people.”

Former Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.), who is among El-Sayed’s most notable Jewish supporters, downplayed worries that Jewish Democrats were distancing themselves from him, attributing the discourse to more hardline pro-Israel donors.

“I won’t disregard the perspectives of so-called ‘lifelong Democrats,'” Levin stated.