In Michigan, several notable Jewish Democrats are backing Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers. The chair of the state’s GOP has expressed confidence that discontent with Abdul El-Sayed will lead to a notable shift of Jewish voters away from the Democratic Party come Election Day.
“The main concern for Jewish Democratic donors is El-Sayed,” said Jim Runestad, Michigan GOP Chairman. “His extreme remarks and associations are genuinely unsettling the Jewish community here.”
Around 500 individuals identifying as Jewish Democrats or independents in Michigan have signed an open letter praising Rogers as a “friend to the Jewish community.” They caution that an El-Sayed win could empower “far-left and anti-Jewish elements” within the Democratic Party.
JEWISH DEMOCRATS TURN TO GOP CANDIDATE IN KEY BATTLEGROUND STATE
El-Sayed, facing dwindling support from Jewish voters, recently released a video on social media featuring himself celebrating Rosh Hashanah with two Jewish women. Critics noted their pro-Palestinian activism and questioned their knowledge of Hebrew prayers included in the video, prompting remarks from a Democratic state lawmaker.
“This feels like tokenism,” commented Democrat state Rep. Noah Arbit, who represents West Bloomfield, a predominantly Jewish area.
EL-SAYED SEEKS RECONCILIATION WITH JEWISH DEMOCRATS BUT REFUSES TO DISAVOW HASAN PIKER
In response to backlash, a rabbi involved in combating antisemitism stated that El-Sayed’s video is not aimed solely at the Jewish community but also intended to ease concerns among non-Jews about his alleged bigotry.
Despite these challenges, El-Sayed’s video attracted considerable social media attention, gathering thousands of interactions on platforms like X and TikTok. Yet, it remains uncertain whether the alienation of Jewish voters will have lasting implications for Democrats in Michigan. The letter endorsing Rogers emphasizes that the signers do not necessarily share support for Donald Trump, clarifying their backing is specific to this election cycle.
Currently, the Rogers campaign claims their outreach to Jewish voters has been fruitful. A source reported that their social media channels are “constantly” filled with positive feedback from Jewish constituents, and fundraisers with donors have reportedly been successful.
Runestad is optimistic about Republicans making substantial inroads with the Jewish community. “There’s definitely potential for Republicans to be viewed more favorably in the future,” he noted, highlighting common ground on issues like entrepreneurship and lower taxes.
However, while Rogers stands to gain from Jewish voter support, he must also contend with El-Sayed’s significant backing in Michigan’s Arab American communities, particularly in Dearborn.
EX-HILLARY CLINTON STAFFER WARNS DEMOCRATS TO BE CAUTIOUS WITH FAR-LEFT TO AVOID LOSING JEWISH VOTERS
Runestad mentioned ongoing efforts to reach out to the Jewish community in Oakland County, believing this cycle may represent a substantial shift.
Concerns about figures associated with El-Sayed, like Hasan Piker, continue to resonate within the Jewish community. Runestad pointed out that Piker’s controversial comments threaten to influence perceptions on El-Sayed. El-Sayed, for his part, has downplayed the significance of his ties to Piker and labeled some criticisms as unfounded.
El-Sayed’s campaign spokesman, Cole Wozniak, emphasized that Abdul values the conversations he’s had with Jewish leaders and is committed to engaging communities to build a coalition aimed at defeating Rogers.
In countering the pro-Rogers letter, liberal Jewish leaders in Michigan have gathered over 800 signatures from individuals affirming their support for El-Sayed. They acknowledge some differences in opinions on various issues but continue to express their commitment to his campaign. El-Sayed has prioritized addressing concerns from the Jewish community and has actively pursued endorsements and dialogues with prominent Jewish lawmakers.
